What does the word “Nazi” remind you of? World War 2? White Supremacy? Possibly, the greatest genocide in history? Well, now you can add disgruntled to your list.
A group of White supremacists in Charlottesville just got the approval for a “White Civil Rights Rally” for August 11th – the anniversary of their “Unite the Right Rally” last year. Apparently, the group of White Nationalists believes that White people do not have enough rights in America and that there is an abuse of civil rights in Charlottesville. They are unhappy with the situation and are marching to Washington in a sign of protest.
While the National Park Service has not issued the official permit, they have given the group their initial approval, and even this comes as surprise. At the rally last year, Neo-Nazi James Fields Jr. killed Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old anti-racism protestor, and injured several of the other protestors by driving his car into their crowd. Despite this incident, many reports ended up solely blaming the police department resulting in the retirement of the former police chief Alfred Thomas.
In President Trump’s statement on the incident, he claimed that there is hate on “both sides,” and the only way to solve the issue was to “restore bonds” and “ideally love one another.” While this advice may seem like a great ending to a chick-flick, how are the people of color in America expected to “love” a group that advocates their superiority in comparison to other races? What kind of message are the White House and the administration promoting by allowing a group that spreads hate to spread their message in the heart of our country?
To some, the solution may be as simple as shutting them down. However, doesn’t this prove their exact point? After all, they are claiming there is an abuse of civil rights for their group and their point would certainly be furthered by not giving them the fundamental privilege that everyone in America holds: freedom of speech. This conflict between their civil rights versus protecting citizens that disagree from the extremist group is exactly what is being debated in the Charlottesville courts right now. The group has sued the city for not allowing their protest. If they win the case, the Nazis will not only get to march in Washington but also in their hometown.
So what is the ultimate solution to the conflict between the safeties of some citizens versus the rights of others? And where do we draw the line for either? This is just one of the many complications that come with our constitution.
Photo: Andy Feliciotti via Unsplash
