On August 12, we joined millions in horror, witnessing the events in Charlottesville, VA, where a rally organized by white supremacists and neo-Nazis terrorized the local community. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, since September 11, 2001 the majority of terrorist attacks committed on U.S. soil have been perpetrated by white supremacists. The Trump Administration turns a blind eye to this reality. At the “Unite the Right” march in Charlottesville, a white supremacist protester ran his car into a group of counter protesters. He killed Heather Heyer, an anti-racism activist, and injured dozens of people. Our horror turned to disgust when President Trump refused to unequivocally condemn the white supremacists and neo-Nazis who organized the marches and equated their actions with those of the counter protesters demonstrating for civil rights and against hatred.
Alarmed about the impact of Trump’s dangerous rhetoric, the Zürich Chapter of Democrats Abroad Switzerland and Action Together Zürich organized a public phone-in and call to action on August 18. The emergency response aimed to provide strategic outcomes–phone calls to Members of Congress, information exchange, and community building around anti-racism, social justice, and civic engagement. The event recognized Charlottesville victim Heather Heyer as well as all victims of terrorism and people everywhere who educate and organize for a more equitable and peaceful world.
U.S. Americans living abroad received sample scripts and called their Members of Congress to request that they do everything in their power to unequivocally stand against hatred of all forms, and stand up for civil and human rights during this crucial time in U.S. history. Nearly fifty people attended the event at Lindenhof in Zürich, a historic site of civil assembly. For some, it was their first call to a U.S. Member of Congress. For others, it solidified their commitment to on-going participation in the democratic process. People in Switzerland of all nationalities were invited to show their support and solidarity.
For a personal account of the event, read DA Switzerland's Secretary Elizabeth Voss’s blog post at Americans Resisting Overseas.
Author: Darcy Alexandra, Zurich Chapter Democrats Abroad