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Virginia should no longer support the display on public property of symbols that divide rather than unite, evoke white supremacy instead of equality, and inspire violence instead of peace.
On Wednesday, August 16, the ACLU of Virginia joined the NAACP and 17 other civil rights groups in filing a brief in the appeals court supporting the Legal Aid Justice Center’s position in a lawsuit challenging Virginia's automatic suspension of driver's licenses over non-payment of court fees.
On National Public Radio’s Morning Edition today, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe blamed the ACLU for the violence that took place on Saturday in Charlottesville. The ACLU of Virginia’s Executive Director Claire G. Gastanaga issued this response.
Since its inception, and even as we have and will continue to fight for free speech for everyone, the ACLU of Virginia has stood up for respect, decency, equality and humanity for all. What happened today had nothing to do with free speech.
The ACLU of Virginia stands firmly for the right to freedom of expression for everyone. We stand just as firmly in opposition to violence, racism and hatred of any kind. We urge anyone participating in demonstrations or protests today to do so in a spirit of peaceful, productive discourse.
Tonight, Judge Glen Conrad ruled in our favor and granted an injunction to allow the planned Unite The Right Rally in Charlottesville to be held at Emancipation Park. The following statement can be attributed to ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastañaga: