Great job by Julian Diego Lopez-Leyva, Justin Wu and the others who organized this afternoon’s Rally of Solidarity for Charlottesville, which was very well attended (150 or so, I’d estimate), in just a few hours (only piece of advice: next time bring a bullhorn for people to use). See below for videos from the event, and also the event’s scheduled speakers (note: Del. Patrick Hope of Arlington also spoke). As the event’s Facebook page described the purpose: “The events in Charlottesville, VA last night were a mortifying testament to all that has come undone in the fight for social unity and American indivision. We as Arlingtonians, Northern Virginians, and Americans are organizing to actively condemn bigotry and racial hatred through a series of speeches, songs, actions, and a moment of silence. Virginia is stronger than this, and with that, so is our United States of America.”
Julian Diego Lopez-Leyva kicks off rally with his poem
Moment of silence for those lost and injured yesterday in Charlottesville.
Powerful speech by activist Gayle Fleming: white people need to be part of the solution; everyone needs to talk to friends, family who voted for Trump — even if it’s painful — before the entire nation “fractures irreparably”; “the ball is in your court, minorities and marginalized people cannot do this without the active participation of the majority”
Arlington Poet Laureate, Farmville native read poems
Arlington County Board Vice Chair Katie Cristol speaks out against “these fascists, these Nazis, these alt-right terrorists” and FOR solidarity with Charlottesville
Del. Rip Sullivan (D-McLean/Arlington) talks about welcoming his new granddaughter into the world, resolves that she will be the last generation of Americans to have to deal with the type of hatred we saw this weekend in Cville.
Del. Mark Keam (D-Vienna/Fairfax) asks, “what are they so afraid of?”
Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) suggests discussing getting rid of all Confederate names, including Lee Highway, Jefferson Davis Highway, Washington-Lee High School
UVA Law School Graduate Sam Shirazi talks about history of desegregation in Charlottesville, says “it wasn’t an accident that they picked Charlottesville,” “no act of violence…can ever destroy the spirit of Charlottesville”
Immigrant Community Activist Adnan Bokari Speaks at Arlington Rally
2nd Year UVA Student Hannah talks about “living nightmare”
Official Order of Events:
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm: Introductory speech
1:25: Moment of silence for those lost and injured
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Public speeches/performances
Katherine Young – Reciting relevant poetry (10 minutes)
Sam Shirazi – Charlottesville native speech (5 minutes)
Gayle Fleming – Longtime activist speech (10 minutes)
Adnan Bokari – Speaking as immigrant community activist (5 minutes)
VC of the Arlington County Board, Katie Cristol (10 minutes)
Delagate Rip Sullivan (5 minutes)
Delagate Mark Keam (5 minutes)
Kavsar Kurash – A Change is Gonna Come (5 minutes)
[There may be time for additional speakers]
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Public dialogue and dismissal
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