Many of country music's biggest stars took to social media to share their anger and concerns after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. turned violent over the weekend.
The "Unite the Right" rally on Aug. 11 was organized to protest the removal of a statue depicting Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Images of attendees marching across the University of Virginia campus with torches in hand soon spread across the Internet and television media. The protestors, who gave Nazi salutes and shouted hateful chants, returned the following day and were met by a large crowd of counter-protesters.
That afternoon, 20-year-old James Alex Fields Jr was arrested after he rammed his car into the counter-protestors. 32-year-old Heather Heyer died and 19 others were injured during the attack. Fields Jr is currently facing charges of second-degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding and one count of hit and run. The incident has been described as a domestic terrorist incident and is now under investigation by the FBI.
In the wake of these disturbing events, country stars like Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, Brothers Osborne and more quickly denounced the rally and subsequent attack.
https://twitter.com/TheTimMcGraw/status/896530231451955200
Extremely sad at the seething hatred that still lives here. I just don't know what to say anymore. We're better than this. #Charlottesville
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) August 12, 2017
Wanna help Charlottesville? Wanna stomp out racism and bigotry? Click the linkhttps://t.co/7VBvnQNG9e ??
— Will Hoge (@WillHoge) August 13, 2017
If your parents taught u 2 hate people of color they're idiots. If you're an adult & still spewing their hate, that makes u a bigger idiot
— Kip Moore (@KipMooreMusic) August 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/KaceyMusgraves/status/896455633456701440
The world's oldest man, an Auschwitz survivor, died today while men with Nazi flags marched thru Charlottesville, VA. We have so far to go.
— Brothers Osborne (@brothersosborne) August 12, 2017
anyone who's seen the Indiana Jones movies oughta grasp the plain & simple fact that the Nazis are NOT the good guys (they're the bad guys)
— Charlie Worsham (@charlieworsham) August 12, 2017
The US NAVY. If you somehow support slamming your car into another person, please know that our military disagrees. ?? https://t.co/JEu7lIdB9E
— Ryan Hurd (@RyanHurd) August 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/mrBobbyBones/status/896775355070947329
Feeling the need to demonstrate because others refuse to recognize your superiority means you aren't superior, doesn't it? #Charlottesville
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) August 12, 2017
#Charlottesville is my college town, a place that taught me so much about seeing, hearing, and respecting others. Heartbroken.
— Kelleigh Bannen (@kelleighbannen) August 13, 2017
Sending prayers to #Charlottesville today. Also praying for an end to senseless violence, blatant racism, greed & terror all over the world.
— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) August 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/kelsey_waldon/status/896515402628382723
