The Alliance for Appalachia condemns white supremacy and all the organizations that support it both overtly and covertly. We mourn the many lives that are lost at the hands of white supremacist terrorism, and we vow to fight for the living.
We recognize that white supremacy is not simply a fringe movement of ignorant and unhinged individuals. Rather, it is an organized and funded movement with at least tacit support from President Trump and others who hold power at all levels of government. We also recognize that racism operates daily, ubiquitously, and anonymously. To effectively overcome this hateful and violent force, it is imperative that all of us–especially white people who directly benefit from systemic racism–organize, strategize, call out, and confront white supremacists wherever they show themselves.
We know that white supremacists are currently attempting to organize within our Appalachian mountains. While we recognize that racism is a serious problem in Appalachia–just like it is everywhere else in the United States–we do not believe it is the dominant force that these violent organizations are banking on. The Alliance for Appalachia stands with the many across our region who are demonstrating against racist hate. We are engaging in meaningful dialogue with our friends, neighbors, and family members about the threats posed by white supremacy, and we are working to liberate ourselves from our own internalized racism and other manifestations of oppressive thinking and behavior.
We cede not our hearts, nor our minds, nor our neighbors, nor our communities. We cede no ground to white supremacist hate and will not be cowed into silence or submission.
For the land and all the people,
The Coordinating Committee of the Alliance for Appalachia
