REALITY TV
TV
MOVIES
MUSIC
CELEBRITY
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Accuracy & Fairness Corrections & Clarifications Ethics Code Your Ad Choices
© MEAWW All rights reserved
MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

‘Impact of Hate: Charlottesville’: How White Supremacists led to the destruction of an entire community

The Investigation Discovery documentary premiering on the 3rd anniversary of the car attack features victim Heather Heyer's mom along with several survivors
PUBLISHED AUG 13, 2020
Members of the Charlottesville community protest (Getty Images)
Members of the Charlottesville community protest (Getty Images)

The otherwise quiet city of Charlottesville in Virginia made headlines in 2017 when a car attack by a White supremacist killed one and injured dozens. Investigation Discovery’s upcoming documentary, ‘Impact of Hate: Charlottesville’, premiering on the third anniversary of the fatal attack that happened on August 12, 2017, showcases how hateful actions of White supremacists destroyed the lives of ordinary people who stepped up to do the right.

What led the car attack?
In mid-2016, Charlottesville decided to remove the two Confederate statues in the city - one was of Robert E. Lee and another one was of Stonewall Jackson – as they represent the dark past of the region. Between June and October 2016, at least 17 public hearings were held to decide what to do with the monuments. “City counselor voted to auction the Lee statue. We also decided to rename the park where the statue is situated,” Mike Signer, a politician who served as mayor of Charlottesville from 2016-17, said in the documentary.

But the idea of removal of Confederate statues was opposed by White supremacists, including a blogger named Jason Kessler and pro-Tump Richard Spencer, who was The University of Virginia graduate. To oppose the removal, Kessler organized the infamous ‘Unite the Right’ rally at Market Street Park, known as Lee Park until 2017, on August 12, 2017, in which Spencer was a featured speaker. Their slogan was: “You will not replace us.” Concerned citizens of the city organized counter-rally to protest the influx of hate by the White supremacists. “Left versus right created a very combustible situation,” Signer said.

(Getty Images)

The authorities tried hard to change the venue of the ‘Unite the Right’ from then Lee park to some other place because the park was in between streets and alleys. But Kessler disagreed saying the statue was the focal point of everything, and a judge also allowed to hold the rally at the park.

The infamous rally was scheduled for 12 pm in the afternoon on August 12, 2017, but it took a violent shape way before its time. The situation became worst because police were not intervening in the fight. “Many protestors have guns and pistols and that was frightening,” Joe Heim, a reporter for The Washington Post, said in the documentary. While Constance Paige Young, Activist and Advocate, who was the part of the counter-protest said: “Police did not keep us safe. They keep certain people safe. Not everyone safe,” adding, “They were an extension of White supremacy.”

(Getty Images)

Since the situation was getting out of hand, then the governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency at 11:52 am on August 12. “After this, we thought we have escaped a very serious problem,” Heim said. Another activist who was also part of the counter-protest said: “I was also very happy. The rough day ended without anyone get seriously hurt.” However, at that time, they did not know the worst was yet to come. “Life changed in a second for us,” Heather Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro, said.

Flowers, candles and chalk-written messages surround a photograph of Heather Heyer on the spot where she was killed (Getty Images)

When the counter-protestors were returning back, a 2010 Dodge Challenger hit the crowd while driving at a high speed. The car attack killed the 32-year-old Heather and severely injured dozens, including Young, and two other activists - Bill Burke and Wednesday. “One of the most horrifying sounds I have listened to yet is the sound of the car. There were just bodies, bodies, and screaming.” While Burke said he thought he was going to die there. “I was on top of Heather. They wake me up and tried to move me because by that time they were doing CPR on her,” he added. But Heather later died at the University of Virginia Medical Center.

Who was behind the fatal attack?
Moments after the attack, the suspect vehicle was located and the driver was also taken into custody. Then 20-year-old James Alex Fields Jr. was behind the attack, who drove from Ohio to attend the ‘Unite The Right’ rally. He was arrested on suspicion of murder at that point, but later he was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Heather. He was given an additional 419 years for the 35 people he injured.

James Alex Fields Jr (Getty Images)

When Fields was facing the trial, Wednesday said: “I was nervous because the jury was so wide. My worst fear was reading a newspaper headline that says, ‘Fields acquitted by jury’.” While giving a speech at Paramount Theatre on August 16, 2017, Heather’s mother Susan said: “He wanted to kill my child to shut her up, but guess what you just magnified her.”

Survivors impact statement
The fatal attack left collateral damage for a lifetime for the survivors and their families. Susan, “I was not there (at the rally), but my life became very difficult. So you can imagine the trauma and the stress, and the ongoing physical problem for people who were injured that day and survived.”

Susan Bro, mother to Heather Heyer, speaks during a memorial for her daughter at the Paramount Theater on August 16, 2017 in Charlottesville (Getty Images)

Wednesday said that the attack had a very “serious effect on my marriage”. She and her former husband did not make it and got separated. But she added that Fields tried to destroy us that day. “He wanted so badly to ruin us that day and he is utterly at loss. I want him to know that.” Burke also got divorced and does not live with his daughters anymore. “I have got a brain injury like I can’t think the way I used to, I can’t talk the way, I used to,” he added.

Young also sent a strong message to the attacker as she said: “I am standing here, a black woman. I am determined to reclaim my life. I did not forgive you, I am angry and motivated. I will use my voice to spread the message to contrast yours. My message will live on and ultimately yours will die.”

‘Impact of Hate: Charlottesville’ premieres on Wednesday, August 12 from 9-11pm ET/PT on Investigation Discovery.
 

POPULAR ON MEAWW
MORE ON MEAWW