As our society continues to struggle with a resurgence of violent and public white supremacy, the worst thing we can do is be silent. And yet, even as hundreds of neo-Confederates swarm across our region, using threats and intimidation to force their warped views, many of us have done just this: stay silent.

Praise for the Confederacy is praise for a society that used legally condoned violence to force an entire group of people to be slaves. After the Civil War, the remnants of this society continued to use violence and suppression to keep these people in a perpetual state of terror and demobilization.

As allies, we must never forget that for African Americans in the South, the Confederate flag has always been there, an ever-present reminder of terror and enslavement, even after all the gains from the civil rights movement. Flying high, it was and is a reminder that whatever equality exists today can always be taken away.

Despite this history, too many in our community continue to equivocate, to say that there are two sides to the story. What of the memory of the hundreds of thousands of black lives destroyed by the Confederacy? What of the continuing violence and marginalization that stems from this legacy through today?

We call upon everyone who lives in the New River Valley to publicly and vocally join against any forms of neo-Confederacy speech and action.

We will replace apathy with action to defend the most targeted members of our communities and we will show up to protect their rights.

We will speak out, educate, and create change in our communities and support organizers who are engaged in intersectional movement building, which means we will center on those most marginalized and oppressed and and will work collaboratively for our collective liberation.

We will not be bystanders. We will act.