August 13, 2017

For Immediate Release

Prince George’s County Councilman Mel Franklin Condemns White Nationalist Hate Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia

Councilman Urges Rejection of Racial Extremism and Offers Condolences for Loss of Life

Contact: Mel@melfranklin.net

Upper Marlboro, MD – Yesterday, James Alex Fields Jr., a participant in a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia called “Unite the Right,” was charged with second degree murder for maliciously driving his vehicle into a crowd of counter protesters, killing Heather Heyer, 32, who lived and worked in Charlottesville.  The Unite the Right rally was inspired by the extreme, so-called “alt-right” movement, which has achieved a growing amount of influence in the base of the Republican Party, especially since the election of President Donald Trump last November.  Today, County Councilman Mel Franklin (D-District 9) issued the following statement:

“White nationalism is just racism and hatred by another name.  The killing of Heather Heyer by James Alex Fields yesterday was a vile act of terrorism and evil.  On behalf of my constituents, my thoughts and prayers are with Heather’s family and the families of Virginia State Police Officers Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, who died providing emergency response to the Charlottesville violence.  I call on people of goodwill around the world to condemn this rising tide of extremism that has found a home in conservative political circles, even including the Trump White House.  It has no place in America.”

###