STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC. ON WHITE SUPREMACIST ACTIVITIES IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

The events in Charlottesville, VA amplify the “Urgency of Now” and further indicate that we must all take deliberate and decisive action to oppose all efforts that attempt to take our country backward. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity stands with all those who peacefully and lawfully protest any statues or monuments that seek to demean people of any race. Furthermore, we call on the elected leaders and citizens of the United States to hold the President accountable for his tacit participation in creating the environment where white supremacy is perpetuated and ultimately leads to violent confrontations. There is indeed an inextricable link between the symbols of the Confederacy, the hateful, divisive, anti-immigrant language that has become a common part of our lexicon and the violence in Charlottesville. Leadership at all levels should demand better from the President as he is expected to not only protect but sustain our union.

Our Alpha Brother Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. On yesterday armed white nationalist gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia for a “Unite the Right” rally, which ultimately escalated into violence and led to several injuries and two fatalities. We join in solidarity and sympathy with the people who were terrorized and subjected to violence at the hands of white supremacists. Violence associated with white supremacy is a despicable but undeniable part of our nation’s historical narrative. Unfortunately, the hate and vitriol that characterized so much of America’s past have reemerged in various pervasive forms today.  The men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. denounce the culture of racism and bigotry that seeks to divide our country and erode the progress achieved in moving our nation toward full democracy for all citizens. As men of Alpha, we will intensify our position against racism by establishing a team of Civil Rights attorneys to combat injustice in American courts. We also encourage everyone to use their social media platforms and join the #TakeDownHate social media campaign, which is an online movement being used to fight against acts such as those that took place in Charlottesville.  Furthermore, we are calling on citizens across the country to demand the removal of Confederate monuments, statues and symbols from communities within their respective cities.