News

Here Are 5 Ways To Fight White Supremacists Immediately

by Bronwyn Isaac

Aug. 12, 2017

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images

On Saturday morning thousands of white nationalists descended upon Charlottesville in retaliation for the city's decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The white nationalists marched with torches chanting "white lives matter," and "you will not replace us," and there were several outbreaks of violence since before the rally began. While many of us won't be able to travel to Charlottesville to gather with the anti-racist groups counter-protesting the Unite The Right rally, we can still support organizations that fight the alt-right on the daily.

Seeing the violent rhetoric and physical violence brought on by overt hatred and racism can be scary and despairing. However, it's crucial to remember how many people are fighting racism every day, on both the cultural and institutional levels. This weekend's violent outbreak in Charlottesville serves as a terrifying example of the forces racial justice activists have been fighting against for decades.

So, rather than feeling helpless in the face of hatred, why not pool our energy and resources towards the people and positive institutions that have been fighting the good fight already? If you're unable to physically lend a hand at Charlottesville, here are a few key organizations that fight the white nationalism of the alt-right. You can make an impact immediately by donating or otherwise lending support right now.

The Southern Poverty Law Center

All donations to The Southern Poverty Law Center will go towards fighting the alt-right through legal advocacy and public interest litigation. The SPLC has stayed particularly loud about the dangers of the white nationalist alt-right and released a campus guide to countering the alt-right for readers.

Charlottesville NAACP

Given the ways the alt-right's racism directly targets black people, any donations to the Charlottesville NAACP branch will fight white nationalism by supporting education, supporting anti-racist legislation, and directly addressing cases of discrimination.

Beloved Community Charlottesville

The Beloved Community Charlottesville fund was created as a response to the Unite The Right protest. Supporters pledge a certain amount per Unite The Right rally attendee, and then that pledge is scaled to the amount of white nationalists. "For example, If you pledge $.25 per white supremacy participant and, as expected, 400 people show up to demonstrate, your total donation would be $.25 x 400, or $100. If you pledge $.10 per participant, your donation would be $.10 x 400, or $40," reads the website."

Charlottesville Solidarity Legal Fund

All donations to the Charlottesville Legal Fund go directly towards defending anti-racist activists in court, posting bail, and lending overall legal protection.

Charlottesville Pride

The funds donated to Charlottesville Pride will go towards protecting and supporting the local LGBTQ community. Another community threatened by the alt-right, particularly LGBTQ people of color.