News / Bristol
Vigil in Bristol after death of civil rights activist
Bristol will stand in solidarity against racism and the rise of far right extremism following the death of a civil rights activist in the USA.
Heather Heyer, 32, died when a car ploughed into a group of counter-protesters during white supremacist marches in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday.
“Heather Heyer was killed because she had the courage to stand up for equality, respect and openness”
The vigil on College Green will be held on Tuesday (August 15) at 5.30pm to show that decent people will not stand by in the face of hatred and far right violence.
“It was one man who drove his car into the crowd, but all the fascists who went bear responsibility for the death of Heather Heyer,” said organiser Fred Jerrome, a trade union officer and chair of Bristol Young Labour.
“She was killed because she had the courage to stand up for equality, respect and openness.”
“Our vigil is a symbol that we will challenge these awful groups and the ideas that motivate them wherever we find them. I hope everyone who attends will resolve to be active in their community, to join their trade union, and to speak up against injustice.
“In the absence of opposition, the far right grows, but we are going to make sure they have no place in Bristol or elsewhere.”
City leaders are expected to speak at the gathering and candles will be lit to remember Heather.
Read more: Anti-Trump peace vigil to be held in Bristol
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