DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement on the anniversary of the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, VA, and the murder of Heather Heyer by one of the rally’s participants:

“One year ago, the American people saw the streets of Charlottesville flood with evil. We heard the bloodthirsty chants of bigotry. We watched in horror as a vicious assailant used his car to drive through a mass of people, taking the life of Heather Heyer. We witnessed scores of openly-racist and anti-Semitic extremists parading under symbols of slavery and mass genocide. And we were left dismayed as our nation’s president defended and emboldened them.

“One year has passed. As they gather again this weekend, this time in our nation’s capital, Republican leaders have a choice. Will they allow white supremacy to flourish with the president’s blessing? Or will they join Democrats and the American people in condemning such hatred?

“Democrats believe that hate has no home in America. We unequivocally denounce the poisonous rhetoric of these demonstrators. And we stand ready to fight back against all forms of bigotry. The President of the United States should do the same instead of continuing to divide our country.”