DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker statement on anniversary of Unite the Right Charlottesville rally 

RICHMOND, Va. – DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the deadly Unite the Right Charlottesville rally.

“As the anniversary of last year’s Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and the tragic deaths of Heather Heyer, VA State Lt.-Pilot Jay Cullen and VA State Trooper-Pilot Berke Bates approaches, Virginians across the Commonwealth must continue to reflect on how we can come together and build a more just and inclusive future for Virginia.

The vile and hate from that day is seared in our memories. The protests sought to divide and provoke us. It did not succeed. Since that fateful day, Virginians have roundly rejected those who seek to sow the seeds of division between us. As Virginia citizens showed then and show now – this great Commonwealth has no place for the awful acts displayed that day.

There are many ways Virginians can honor the memory of those who lost their lives that day. One way is to donate to the Heather Heyer Foundation (in memory of Heather Heyer) and the Virginia State Police Association (in memory of VA State Lt.-Pilot Jay Cullen and VA State Trooper-Pilot Berke Bates)."