SWAMPSCOTT — Swampscott and Marblehead joined communities across the country holding rallies and vigils denouncing a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., that erupted into fatal violence this weekend.
The Virginia rally on Saturday was organized to protest the city’s decision to remove a statue of confederate General Robert E. Lee. “Pro-white” protesters, as the event’s organizer called them, including Neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members and other white nationalists, rallied to “take America back.” Some reportedly stated their beliefs were validated by the election of President Donald Trump.
The rally quickly deteriorated into violence, with clashes between white nationalists and counter-protesters. A car later plowed into a group of anti-white-nationalist protesters, killing a woman and causing multiple injuries. A state police helicopter crash that killed two troopers was also linked to the rally, as it was monitoring the event.
On Sunday, Swampscott and Marblehead each held events in response to the events that transpired a day earlier. A diversity group in Swampscott, S.U.R.E. (Swampscott Unites, Respects, Embraces Diversity), held a rally on the Town Hall lawn, “to unite against the hateful actions occurring in Charlottesville, Va. and around the world,” according to its Facebook event invite.
On Sunday night, Marblehead held a candlelight vigil at Seaside Park to show the town was standing with Charlottesville.
“We would like to show support and solidarity for the city of Charlottesville, VA, mourn the violent death of those who bravely stood up to the negativity and hate, the senseless deaths and injuries, and to send positive vibes near and far and embrace the love,” S.U.R.E. wrote on Facebook.
Carolina Velasquez-Freeman, chairwoman of S.U.R.E., said the purpose of the event, which was attended by about 25 people and was quickly organized the night before, was to make sure that Swampscott joins “other communities in the condemnation of this outrageous behavior that’s happening.”
Keli Khatib, secretary of the group, said the purpose was to unite against hate and to stand with Charlottesville.
“I think the fact that we’re coming together means that we’re stronger together and that’s what we need to do,” Khatib said. “We need to love and not hate.”
Jim Olivetti spoke at the event about how his mother was driven out of Germany by the Nazis in the 1930s. Although she didn’t talk about it much, he said what struck him from reading about that time period in Germany was that there wasn’t enough individual pushback — the erosion of morals and human rights was eaten away until the country was overrun by Nazis.
“We can’t let that happen here,” Olivetti said. “Keep in mind that we have to push back hard against stuff like this, and if you feel that possibly the Trump administration plays a kind of facilitating role in what we’re seeing, we have to push back against that as well.”
Ralph Edwards, chairman of the democratic town committee, said the bigger context of the weekend’s events was that there was a time when white nationalists wouldn’t feel comfortable talking out loud, coming together, and doing the things that they’re doing. He said they feel like they can now.
“With Steve Bannon, with the era of the president, we’re likely to be coming together more and more,” Edwards said. “And I would just encourage everyone to find S.U.R.E., or find a group, and be prepared because we do have to push back.”
A statement from U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass), who could not attend, was read during the event in Swampscott. According to his office, Moulton was scheduled to speak at the vigil in Marblehead.
“The hatred on display in Charlottesville, Va., yesterday is sickening,” Moulton said in a statement. “White supremacy and Nazi sympathy have no place in America … Let us be clear: this is domestic terrorism. There are not “many sides” to this violence. There are two sides. Right and wrong. Good and evil. Peace and terror.
“On this Sunday, when we worship or spend time with our families and friends, let’s remember the victims of yesterday’s violence, but let’s also reflect on terrorism’s political goals: to silence and subjugate through fear and intimidation,” Moulton continued.
“We cannot be bowed by this attack. As we reflect, let’s honor the courage and righteousness of the students and others who counter-protested to stand up for American values. Brave acts like this will keep us on a path toward equality and justice. Because we must, and shall, overcome this together.”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
