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Costa Statement on White Supremacist Attack in Charlottesville

August 13, 2017

FRESNO, CA – Today Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement about the white supremacist attack that occurred yesterday in Charlottesville, Virginia:

"The hatred and violence in Charlottesville yesterday are devastating and unacceptable.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals we lost, those who were injured, and their loved ones.

"As Americans, the protests that turned deadly in Charlottesville sadden all of us and should serve as a call to action. Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and their defining ideas and beliefs are disgusting and are directly opposed to our American values. The individuals who belong to these groups are not American patriots. They are cowards and bigots, and their ideas have been a plague on our country for far too long.

"We must condemn actions by white supremacists, Neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan, and all groups who preach hate and advocate violence. It is truly awful that racism and hatred live in the hearts of some in America. We all have a responsibility – as individuals and collectively – to do our part to address racism, other forms of prejudice, and hate.

"We must remember that we are far more similar than we are different, and only by standing together will we be able to successfully overcome the challenges we all face together. Although it can be difficult at times, I call on all of us to pause for a moment, reach out to one another, and reverse hate by conveying understanding and solidarity founded on the basis of love and humanity.

"In addition, the President, with our nation's justice department, must take firm and decisive action to aggressively go after these hate groups, using all legal means available. These groups' violence is outrageous and illegal, and we cannot allow them to continue to target and attack our fellow Americans.

"Lastly, I would like to thank our law enforcement officers for risking their lives yesterday, and every day, to keep us safe."