UCF & SGA Presidents Condemn Charlottesville Violence in Campus-wide Email

August 16, 2017

The University of Central Florida President and UCF Student Government Association President have condemned the Charlottesville violence through a campus-wide email sent to students and faculty.

The UCF Student Body President Nick Larkins released an email early Wednesday morning, joining 104 student body presidents nationwide in condemning the violence.

“In response to the terrible incidents that occurred over the weekend at the University of Virginia, 104 Student Body Presidents from across the country publicly announced their condemnation of the hatred on display in Charlottesville, as well as their support for the citizens of the great state of Virginia. As the Student Body President, I was honored to pledge the love and support of the University of Central Florida toward all who were affected. The official statement is listed below.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

Go Knights! Charge On!

Sincerely,

Nicholas R. Larkins
Student Body President
Member, UCF Board of Trustees
Student Government Association
University of Central Florida”

The president of the university followed in the same day with a message.

Dubbed “The Wrong Side of History,” UCF President John C. Hitt of 25 years enumerated the university’s opposition to ‘racism, bigotry, and hate,’ and strength in values such as equality, inclusivity, and respect.

The message has been reproduced below:

“The recent violence in Charlottesville was repugnant, and it stands as an anathema to the values Americans hold dear.

It is even more disturbing that so much of the violence occurred on a college campus — the historic and prestigious University of Virginia.

More frequently than ever, hate groups target public universities like ours because we vigorously promote free speech. That’s why I support what UVA President Teresa Sullivan said after Nazis, white supremacists, and anti-Semitic protestors stormed her campus.

What took place at UVA “wasn’t about ideas,” she said. “People weren’t out there arguing with each other. They were clobbering each other. That’s a very different situation. That’s violence. Violence is not free speech.”

I couldn’t agree more.

UCF stands alongside those who oppose the racism, bigotry, and hate seen in Charlottesville. These views are on the wrong side of history and have no place in our future.

We choose to side with equality, inclusivity, and respect.

In my lifetime, Americans have defeated Nazis, won the Cold War, and fought for equal rights for all.

Our progress toward becoming a more diverse and inclusive people is a strength of our great nation. Our embrace of justice and equality has been a beacon to others around the world.

These values represent the best of America. Let us strive to uphold these values in all we do, now more than ever.”

Aforementioned statement:

STATEMENT

As Student Body Presidents across the United States, we are deeply saddened by the events that have occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia. We are united with the students of the University of Virginia, as what affects one of our campuses affects us all. College campuses are spaces that students should be able to call home, not places of violence, hate, and racism. Students should always feel welcome and safe at our incredible higher education institutions, never having to fear for their personal well-being. As the voice of our students, we collectively call on one another to speak up in the face of injustice, as silence reduces us to bystanders in oppression. This is a statement to not only support the Student Body at the University of Virginia but to make clear our advocacy for the victimized and marginalized students on all our campuses. We will continue to support students and universities in their peaceful resistance to violence, racism, white supremacy, bigotry, and acts of terrorism on our own campuses and beyond. If the students of the University of Virginia or the citizens of Charlottesville need any assistance, please know you have a network of universities that supports you.

In Solidarity,

UCF & SGA Presidents Condemn Charlottesville Violence in Campus-wide Email

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