To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate

Every elected official in the United States: Denounce white supremacy

Thoughts and prayers are not enough of a response to the tragedy unfolding in Charlottesville, Virginia. All elected officials must speak out explicitly denouncing the white supremacists who assembled in Charlottesville this weekend and their toxic ideology.

Why is this important?

This weekend, white supremacists descended on Charlottesville, Virginia, to rally against the removal of a Confederate monument. In the process, they attacked counter-protestors, leaving at least one person dead.

I grew up in Virginia and spent four years of my life attending the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. I am heartbroken seeing the community I loved ripped apart by their vile attacks. And I am appalled that in the face of this toxic hate, fear, and violence, our president can offer only half-hearted calls for unity.

We cannot tolerate such attacks, and we must call out the newly emboldened hate group members. Since Donald Trump appears incapable of doing this, I call on every elected official to lead in explicitly condemning the white supremacists in Charlottesville and their vile, hate-filled ideology.