VIDEO: Black Lives Matter Covers UVA Thomas Jefferson Statue With Tarp, Issue Demands
The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson, and now the students and faculty are calling him a white supremacist rapist.
Thomas Jefferson Called A White Supremacist And Racist As Black Lives Matter Issues Demands
Charlottesville, VA – On Tuesday night, September 12, a crowd of about 100 Black Lives Matter activists, all students, faculty, and local residents, gathered at the statue of Thomas Jefferson on the campus of the University of Virginia, and issued a list of demands for the University.
The crowd chanted “No Trump, No KKK, No racist UVA”, while one person yelled “What do we want?” and the crowd yelled back, “justice!”, according to The Washington Times.
Activists carried signs that said “Fuck silence”, and “Thomas Jefferson is a racist and a rapist”, as some climbed onto the statue, covered it with a black tarp, and hung a banner from it that read “Black Lives Matter” and “Fuck White Supremacy.”
The activists’ covering of the statue was apparently mocking the decision by Charlottesville officials to cover the statue of General Robert E. Lee in Emancipation Park and the statue of General Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson in Justice Park after the violent rally in August.
The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819.
The demands included removing the Confederate plaques on the Rotunda and banning white supremacist hate groups from grounds, calling out UVA alumni Jason Kessler and Richard Spencer specifically.
Kessler is a self-professed white nationalist and an activist for the Alt-Right.
Spencer is a self-professed white nationalist who coined the term “alt-right” to avoid the negative associations with being called a white nationalist. “Alt-right” has since been picked up by people to describe anybody who is right of Hillary Clinton. This has only helped white nationalists disguise themselves, because non-racists are frequently called “alt-right” or “white supremacists,” such as Thomas Jefferson.
The group also demanded that all students be required to take classes about how Thomas Jefferson was a white supremacist and rapist, demanded the hiring of more black faculty, and demanded the admission of more black students.
An unidentified speaker at the protest said, “One month ago, we stood on the front lines in downtown Charlottesville as all manner of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and neo-fascists swarmed the area.
“Two months ago, the Ku Klux Klan rallied in their safe space, fully robed and fully protected by multiple law enforcement agencies who brutalized and tear gassed peaceful counter-protesters.”
The speaker was referring to the violent protest and rally at UVA, which occurred on August 12.
At Tuesday’s rally, protesters and counter-protesters exchanged words, and the rally almost became violent, with Black Lives Matter activists chanting “Stop staring! Start fighting!” One man, who requested confidentiality, tried to livestream the rally, and then released the video for public use after protesters demanded his name.
UVA officials have not yet commented on the list of demands.
You can see video from the event below:
