Heather Heyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Heather Heyer
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Memorial for Heather Heyer on 4th Street in Charlottesville, 2017
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| Born |
Heather Danielle Heyer
May 29, 1985 Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
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| Died | August 12, 2017 (aged 32) Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
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| Occupation | Paralegal |
Heather Heyer (born May 29, 1985 – died August 12, 2017) was an American paralegal. A paralegal is someone who helps lawyers with their work. Heather became a symbol for civil rights. This means she stood for fairness and equal rights for all people. She was killed during a large protest called the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Heather Heyer's Early Life
Heather Heyer was born in Charlottesville. She grew up in a town called Ruckersville, Virginia. This town is north of Charlottesville. It is also near Shenandoah National Park.
Heather went to William Monroe High School. She graduated from there. After high school, she worked at local restaurants. She was a waitress. Later, Heather worked at the Miller Law Group in Charlottesville. She worked in the part of the company that helps people with money problems. She also went to school at night. She wanted to learn more about law.
The Unite the Right Rally
Before the Rally Day
On the Friday night before the rally, many people marched. These people had hateful ideas. They marched on the University of Virginia campus. Heather's friend was sharing videos of this march online. Heather saw people marching with torches. They were making hateful gestures.
Heather's friends said these videos scared her. They decided not to go to the bigger rally on Saturday. They thought it would be too dangerous. But later that night, Heather sent a message to her friend. She said, "I feel compelled to go, to show solidarity." This means she felt she had to go to show support for others.
What Happened on Rally Day
On the day of the rally, many people stayed away. Those who came saw protesters with weapons. They also saw people with symbols of hate groups. In the late morning, the local government tried to stop the rally. They said it was an emergency. But the protesters did not leave. They moved to other streets downtown.
Heather arrived around 1 p.m. She came with two friends from her job. She wore a black t-shirt and pants. She was ready for her waitressing job later that night. They started walking down Water Street. A video shows Heather talking to a woman. Heather seemed to ask why the woman was with a group that had hateful ideas. The woman did not answer.
Heather and her friends continued to Fourth Street. They met more protesters there. Some of these protesters had weapons. On Fourth Street, a man drove his car into the crowd. Heather, her friends, and other protesters were hit. Nineteen people were hurt. Heather was the only person who died. The driver of the car was arrested.
After the Rally Day
If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention. – Heather Heyer's last words on Facebook
A special service was held for Heather Heyer. It was on Wednesday, August 16. It took place at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville. Important leaders attended the service. These included the Governor of Virginia and a US Senator.
Heather's mother, Susan Bro, spoke at the service. She told the crowd, "They tried to kill my child to shut her up. Well, guess what? You just magnified her." Her mother talked about a message Heather posted online. It said, "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention." Susan Bro asked everyone to pay attention. She asked them to find what is wrong. Then she asked them to think, "What can I do to make a difference?" She said this would make Heather's death matter.
Heather was buried in a secret place. This was to keep her grave safe. It also protected the people who work there. Heather's mother still gets threats from people with hateful ideas. Some of Heather's family could not go to her funeral. This was because of the danger.
The President at the time, Donald Trump, tried to call Heather's mother. But she did not take his calls. This was after he said there was blame on "many sides." Susan Bro did not agree with him. She said, "You can’t say there were good people coming into town with their fists taped prepared to draw blood and do harm. That’s not good people."
After the rally, the police chief of Charlottesville left his job. The city manager also did not get a new work agreement. In November, a new mayor was elected. She was the city’s first black female mayor. One year later, a leader of the white supremacists tried to plan another rally. But he changed his mind. He decided to have a rally in Washington instead. The state of Virginia and the city of Charlottesville prepared for the one-year anniversary. They increased security. They also allowed the Virginia National Guard to help.
Heather Heyer's Legacy
The Heather Heyer Foundation
They tried to kill my child to shut her up. Well, guess what? You just magnified her. – Susan Bro at her daughter Heather's funeral
One of Heather's friends started an online fundraiser. It was to help her family after she died. This fundraiser collected a lot of money very quickly. Heather's mother, Susan Bro, did not know what to do with the money. So, she started an organization. It is called the Heather Heyer Foundation. She started it with Alfred Wilson. He was the lawyer who hired Heather at Miller Law Group.
Just fifteen days after Heather's death, Susan Bro spoke at a big music awards show. It was the MTV Video Music Awards. She announced the new Heather Heyer Foundation. She said, "Help me make Heather’s death count." She also said, "I want people to know that Heather never marched alone." The foundation gives scholarships. These scholarships help students fight against hatred. They also help promote social change. The scholarships are for students studying law, social work, and education.
So far, the Heather Heyer Foundation has given many scholarships. Each scholarship is worth at least $1,000.
Heather Heyer Way
In December 2017, Fourth Street in Charlottesville was renamed. This is the street where Heather was killed. It was given the name "Heather Heyer Way." This was done to honor Heather. Heather's mother and the mayor of Charlottesville spoke at the naming ceremony.
In Popular Culture
A famous rapper named Eminem mentioned Heather Heyer in his song "Like Home." The song is from his album Revival. He sang about coming together for Charlottesville and for Heather. He called her a "fallen hero."
The movie BlacKkKlansman (2018) also honors Heather. The movie ends with videos from the Charlottesville rally. It says "in memoriam" of Heyer. This means it remembers her.
Awards and Recognition
- In 2017, Heather Heyer received an award after her death. It was the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Social Justice. Heather's mother, Susan Bro, accepted the award for her.
- The Southern Poverty Law Center added Heather's name and picture to the Wall of Tolerance. This wall is inside the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, Alabama.
Images for kids
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Memorial for Heather Heyer on 4th Street, Charlottesville, 2017.
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Heather Heyer memorial, Charlottesville, 2017.
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Screenshot of car during ramming attack
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Police block of crash site
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Heather Heyer button at a Berkeley protest
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Related Pages
- 2017 Unite the Right rally
- Heather Heyer (Charlottesville car attack)
- Heather Heyer (Unite the Right rally)
