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National Council of Churches in US condemns white supremacist movement after weekend of violence

The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA has condemned a gathering of white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday, and said the “moral witness” of concerned people of faith, including clergy, who stood “as a barrier before those gathered in the cause of white supremacy” was an “inspiration”.

A 32-year-old woman Heather D Heyer was killed on Saturday when a car was driven into a crowd of prople protesting the gathering of white supremacists in an incident which also left 19 others injured. A man appeared before a court on Monday charged over the event. Two police officers also died when the helicopter they were in crashed while monitoring protestors.

The white supremacist gathering had been called to protest against plans to remove of a statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee.

In a statement issued on Monday, the NCC said “white supremacy must find no sanction or shelter in America today” and that they grieved for the lives “needlessly lost”. 

“We also give thanks for the moral witness given by concerned people of faith, including clergy, who came to Charlottesville to stand as a barrier before those gathered in the cause of white supremacy,” the NCC said.

Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, also expressed his condolences to people who are grieving and called for an end to violence.

“Terror and violence against peaceful people seeking justice in Charlottesville must be condemned by all,” he said in comments released on Monday. “We are proud of moral leadership by clergy and lay people standing against this promotion of racism and white supremacy”.

Rev Dr Tveit said the WCC stood “in solidarity with those who continue to use nonviolent means to work against racism and extremism”.

And in response to the chorus of voices – including the NCC – calling for US President Donald Trump to explicity condemn the white supremacist movement in the wake of Saturday’s events, Mr Trump, in comments made to reporters at the White House on Monday, denounced white supremacist groups by name. 

“Racism is evil and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans.”

Mr Trump said he condemned in the “strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence”, saying it had no place in the US.

 

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