Statement on Charlottesville, VA

The Counseling Center joins the rest of the University of Louisville and the Louisville community in expressing our care and compassion for those who were directly or indirectly impacted by the protests and violence that unfolded in Charlottesville, VA this weekend. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of Heather Heyer, Lt. H. Jay Cullen, and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, as well as those who were injured.  Fascism, Nazi salutes and flags, white supremacy and hatred of Jewish people, racial minorities, LGBT people, and immigrants were blatant in these protests in the name of saving monuments, but in the service of hatred. The University of Louisville Counseling Center deplores and strongly opposes hatred, bigotry, racism, violence, and terrorism which are incompatible with the ideals and values of our mental health professions. We support inclusion, diversity, multi-culturalism, and social justice. We strive to provide a place where emotional and complex issues can be discussed in a non-judgmental empathic environment.