We now live in a nation the majority of us no longer recognize. Every day, sometimes every hour, another assault—be it physical, psychological, or both—is perpetrated against members of minority communities… and this time it’s done with brazen encouragement from the highest elected official in the land. Previously, police have killed unarmed black men and children with blood-chilling regularity, but when a Nazi in Charlottesville pulled out a gun and fired it at an African-American male he shouted the word “nigger” at, the police neither intervened nor arrested the shooter.
neo-nazis beat Deandre Harris, 20, with metal poles while police and bystanders watch
Heavily outnumbered, Deandre literally fought for his life. Once again, the police did not intervene.
Now paranoid about leaving the house, the once happy-go-lucky Deandre is living in a self-imposed prison. Mr. and Mrs. Harris want their son to heal, but neo-nazis continue to harass, threaten, mock and intimidate the twenty-year-old on social media and via his cell phone, thereby depriving him of nearly all contact with the outside world. Deandre can’t turn on his phone or browse the internet without being forced to psychologically relive his terrifying brush with death.
Despite clear video footage, only one male has been arrested in connection with Deandre’s beating—and it took police over a week to do even that much. When it comes to black suspects, police have a track record of arresting first and asking questions later, but white perpetrators in broad daylight were seemingly shrugged off by them. (Click here to read Deandre’s firsthand account.)
“The March to Confront White Supremacy,” will begin in Charlottesville on Monday, August 28th, reach Washington D.C. on Wednesday, September 6th, and culminate in a protest that will not end until Trump and his regime are removed from office. Mass housing will be provided—presumably by the protest’s sponsors—for anyone who wishes to participate. If you’re interested in joining the march, rallying in the capital, and/or making a donation, please visit their website at www.cville2dc.us for more information.
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This is a Creative Commons article. The original version of this article appeared here.
