Statements on the Violence in Charlottesville

Cong. Joyce Beatty

"It is unbelievable and equally as shocking that President Trump continues to send mixed messages—through his words and inaction—on Charlottesville. We deserve a president who will stand up unequivocally to hatred and bigotry, instead of shifting focus and inspiring the KKK, white supremacists, white nationalists and the alt-right."

Cong. Steve Chabot

Excerpt from blog entry Mayhem in Charlottesville, and Closer to War with North Korea : "Let me be clear – Nazis, the KKK, and white supremacists are scum. There is no place in America for them. There is no place in the Republican party for them. I don’t want their support. I don’t want their votes."

Cong. Marcia Fudge

“My prayers are with the families of Heather Heyer, Lt. H. Jay Cullen, Trooper Berke Bates and all of those injured Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia.   Hate has no place in a civil society and I will fight hate with every fiber of my being.  I ask every resident of the 11th Congressional District and all Americans to stand against hate.”

Cong. Marcy Kaptur

"No community should have to endure what Charlottesville has endured today. My heart breaks for the tragic loss of life and violence that occurred against those who were standing up for liberty and against hate.

"This was an act of domestic terrorism. Those who were motivated by the evil of racial or religious hatred or white supremacist notions, or whose intentions were purposefully violent should know the laws of our nation will prevail and those who brutally destroyed innocent life will face full consequences in our courts.

"Much gratitude is owed to the first-responders who were on the scene to try and maintain order in chaos. As a nation, we must intensify our resolve to fight against bigotry and hatred whenever and wherever it exists."

Cong. Tim Ryan

“I watched with disgust, though sadly, hardly surprise, as the President of the United States doubled down on his earlier failure to fully condemn the forces of racism and hate that instigated the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia this past weekend. We lost two brave State Troopers in an accident while in the line of duty. During an act of terror, an innocent woman, Heather Heyer, was murdered and dozens of others were injured for speaking out against racism and bigotry by groups that the President only reluctantly has named. In the face of such evil, we cannot be reluctant in the defense of our fellow citizens who, as a result of this weekend’s events could be left feeling less safe, less welcome, in their own country. That makes me sick. Neo-Nazis, racists, anti-Semites, the KKK, and other white supremacist groups have no place in American society. Each of us has a duty to speak out against this hateful ideology. President Trump has failed in this regard in a spectacular manner over the last couple days leading up to today’s horrendous press conference in Trump Tower. America deserves better,” said Congressman Ryan.  

Cong. Brad Wenstrup

“I'm as outraged today as I was yesterday, and the days before that. As I made clear this weekend and will continue to do so, white nationalists, Neo-Nazis or any brand of hatred and bigotry, should be universally condemned along with their acts of violence.” “The terror in Charlottesville was, without a doubt, carried out by white supremacists. I stand with Ohio's Second District, and the country, in condemning them in every way. The notion of one race or religion being superior to another is both appalling and disgusting.We fought it over 70 years ago, and we must win this war again. I have always taken to heart the tolerance of Ralph W. Emerson, when he said, "In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in some way, and in that I learn from him."We must live our lives with open minds and open hearts.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown

“The bigotry and violence we’ve seen in Virginia have no place in America. I am grateful to those who put themselves in harm’s way today to peacefully protest against racism and hate,” Brown said. “As we learn more, my thoughts are with all those injured and their families. I am grateful to Virginia law enforcement and first responders. Ohio stands behind Virginia as the state copes with this senseless violence. We must not tolerate racism, threats, intimidation or violence.”

Click here for statements from Ohio's statewide elected officials