These UVA students are brave as hell.
The town of Charlottesville, Virgina is on edge as clashes intensify between white supremacists and counter-protesters on the campus of University of Virgina. On Friday night, hundreds of white supremacists descended upon the University of Virginia campus. Through the midst of chaos and hate speech, one powerful photo of UVA students holding a sign that reads, “VA Students Act Against White Supremacy” was circulating on Twitter.
These are literally young UVA students age 17-23 standing up to a sea of white supremacists and neo-Nazis surrounding them #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/VEU3mU9d3o
— sophia armen (@SophiaArmen) August 12, 2017
“These are literally young UVA students age 17-23 standing up to a sea of white supremacists and neo-Nazis surrounding them,” the tweet reads.
Image via Twitter/Sophia Armen
The scene in Charlottesville is incredibly tense right now and grabbing headlines across the nation and world, but the actions of student counter-protesters last night are also receiving some much-needed positive attention and praise. While supporters of the “Unite the Right” marched through the streets spouting hatred and carrying tiki torches, brave UVA students heroically stood up to them.
Terry McAuliffe, governor of Virginia, has even declared a state of emergency “to aid state response to violence” ahead of Saturday’s “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, according to ABC News. Arrests are being made as police have deemed the gathering an Emancipation Park unlawful.
Image via Twitter/Sophia Armen
These students stood there in the midst of the chaos, with no protection, as physical fights broke out. According to WVIR, punches were thrown, there was pushing and shoving, and some of the marchers used their fiery torches as spears towards counterprotestors.
The photo above quickly went viral and many started applauding the students for their bravery.
One reply read, “In this time of blustery BS, there’s a lot of confusion about what it means to be brave or ‘tough.’ For clarification, look at these people.”
In this time of blustery BS, there's a lot of confusion about what it means to be brave or "tough." For clarification, look at these people.
— Laughing In Advance (@HoardingKites) August 12, 2017
Future Leaders. Stand for me and I'll stand with you
— JayBezz (@JayBezzOfficial) August 12, 2017
To all the UVA students standing up to bigotry and hatred and all the other people from #Charlottesville doing the same, thank you. pic.twitter.com/E08bLfvfMk
— #mapoli, Vote #NoOn2 (@RWwatchMA) August 12, 2017
This is the only picture that should be shown.
— Grace Laine
(@TAW3343) August 12, 2017
So proud of them for taking a stand. I pray they are safe.
— Rosa Rohr (@rosa_rohr) August 12, 2017
These UVA students standing in the center of the mob: This is courage & patriotism in the face of racist thugs & terrorists #Charlottesville
— Lor Fogel(@4usall) August 12, 2017
VA students - I've shared this with my two sons. Your display of bravery and humanity is an inspiration for all who want a better world.
— JChrysafidis (@JChrysafidis) August 12, 2017
Fuck Yeah! Now that's humanity
— trevorstamp (@TrevorSoi) August 12, 2017
Huge respect to these young people for not being intimidated. Millions - actually billions of us share your values.
— Michelle Virgo (@MichelleVirgo) August 12, 2017
If this picture is any indication, these students demonstrate what it actually means to be brave.