US Military Leaders Condemn Racism, Extremism After Charlottesville

Three leaders of U.S. military forces issued statements condemning the racist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Navy Admiral John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, weighed in on Saturday evening, saying that the U.S. Navy "forever" opposes such violence.

Events in Charlottesville unacceptable & musnt be tolerated @USNavy forever stands against intolerance & hatred...https://t.co/tg0cETibaq

— Adm. John Richardson (@CNORichardson) August 13, 2017

Gen. Rober Neller, the Marine Corps commandant, weighed in on the issue, calling out extremists and racists.

No place for racial hatred or extremism in @USMC. Our core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment frame the way Marines live and act.

— Robert B. Neller (@GenRobertNeller) August 15, 2017

Gen. Mark A. Milley, the Army's chief of staff, said that racism would not be tolerated within the Army.

The Army doesn't tolerate racism, extremism, or hatred in our ranks. It's against our Values and everything we've stood for since 1775.

— GEN Mark A. Milley (@ArmyChiefStaff) August 16, 2017

The military also addressed the use of clothing affiliated with military service being associated with the extremists.

The 82nd Airborne, the Army paratrooper unit, noted that "anyone can purchase that hat, valor is earned" in response to a photograph of a man wearing an 82nd Airborne hat giving a Ku Klux Klan salute during the Charlottesville incident.

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