NPR

'Hear Me By Any Means Necessary': Charlottesville Is Forced To Redefine Civility

After a deadly white supremacist rally in 2017, once-marginalized voices in Charlottesville, Va., are demanding to be heard by the City Council. That has led to a debate over civility.
Deadly violence from a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., shook the nation in 2017. Since then, city leaders have struggled to define what public discourse should look like as once-marginalized voices increase demands for change.

Charlottesville city government was upended after a woman was killed and others injured in a car attack by a white supremacist in 2017. White nationalists had targeted Charlottesville for a "Unite The Right Rally" after the Virginia town decided to take down a Confederate statue, part of its reckoning with a fraught racial history.

Local authorities faced harsh criticism for not preventing the bloodshed. Within a year, the city's police chief, manager, attorney and spokesperson were all gone. And City Council chambers became the venue for angry and hurt residents to demand accountability.

As once-marginalized voices amp up calls for change, the council continues to wrestle with the question of just what public discourse should look like after the tragedy.

"It's been brutal for people," says council member Mike Signer, who was

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR6 min readCrime & Violence
What's At Stake As The Supreme Court Hears Idaho Case About Abortion In Emergencies
The Supreme Court will consider the question: Should doctors treating pregnancy complications follow state or federal law if the laws conflict? Here's how the case could affect women and doctors.
NPR5 min readAmerican Government
First Day Of Trump's Hush Money Trial Kicks Off With Opening Statements And A Witness
The prosecution is arguing that Donald Trump wanted to keep information out of the public fearing that it would turn off voters in 2016. The defense argues Trump did nothing illegal.
NPR5 min read
Sleep Training: Life Preserver For Parents Or "Symptom Of Capitalism"?
Well, I'm back. After a lengthy parental leave, when publication of the Planet Money newsletter decreased in frequency, I'm now working full-time and the newsletter will go back to being published weekly. As always, I will continue to do my best to

Related Books & Audiobooks