Vancouver NAACP Releases Statement on Charlottesville

On Monday the Vancouver NAACP released the following statement on this weekend's events in Charlottesville, Va.:

The Vancouver NAACP is saddened by the action of the terrorist groups in Charlottesville. We should all be concerned that these groups have decided to unite and terrorize citizens of the United States.

A terrorist is a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. Derrick Johnson, interim president and CEO of the NAACP stated “The blatant racism on display in Charlottesville is absolutely disgusting. It’s hard to believe that in 2017 we are still plagued by so much race-based hatred. The NAACP will always stand against hate and any persons who threaten the moral right of our community.”

Many of the faces seen on television were young. Racism is a disease and many of our youth are being infected. These groups, like most terrorist groups, recruit the young according to Dr. John Horgan, a forensic psychologist and expert in analyzing terrorist behavior at Georgia State University in Atlanta “[It’s] that feeling we all had as teenagers: ‘I don’t fit. I don’t belong here. I want something bigger. I want to do something better with my life,’” explained Horgan. “Those are the types of things recruiters latch onto and exploit, and they’re very good at it. They are able to exploit teenage angst and the fact that adolescents are still finding their place in the world."

As Mr. Johnson stated “NAACP, as an organization, stands strong with our brothers and sisters in Charlottesville who are gathering, marching and singing for peace. We are and will continue to be steadfast and immovable in the fight against discrimination, prejudice and hatred – and we are not afraid.”

The Vancouver Chapter encourages our state and local citizens and communities to continue moving forward in a positive direction to stand and live stronger together.

Vancouver NAACP members attend a vigil held Sunday evening in Vancouver in support and sympathy for victims and family killed in Charlottesville Aug. 13.