BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Wednesday marked three years since a man drove into a crowd at the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer following days of clashes between alt-right groups and protesters.
Mark Heyer, Heather’s father, remembered his daughter on Wednesday as someone who always stood up for people and wanted to see equality.
What You Need To Know
- Heather Heyer was run down during a 2017 protest in Chsrlottesville, Virginia
- Her father, Mark Heyer, lives in Brevard County, Florida, now
- Heyer says daughter always stood up for others
- The driver of the csr who hit her was convicted of murder
She would have wanted to see an end to the hate and tension common in the United States still today, said Heyer, who now lives in Brevard County, Fla.
“It didn't matter if it was racial, socioeconomic splits or what,” Heyer said. “It didn't make a difference.
“She was trying to be a voice of reason, and happened to be in the wrong place, when that guy decided to do what he did,” Heyer said. “She was a part of me that I will never get back. Hate doesn't do anything but divide, destroy, and bring destruction.”
It’s personal for Heyer.
“She was my little girl, and she always will be,” Heyer said. “She was personable and loved to make people laugh.”
Heyer said he does forgive James Alex Fields Jr., who was convicted of killing Heather, and Heyer remains confident that change is possible.
“If we actively, aggressively love one another with the right heart and right spirit, we can eliminate a lot of this hate, and that’s what it’s supposed to be about,” Heyer said.
He said he believes that is what Heather would want.
“I love you, Heather, and I'm glad to have known you and to see who you became.”