Documenting the Truth in the U.S. and Abroad

On Saturday August 12th, we were reminded of the racism that still exists in our country when white supremacists gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate icon General Robert E Lee. They clashed with counter-protesters, violence erupted onto the streets, and a car, driven by a white nationalist, plowed into the crowd killing Heather Heyer and injuring 19 others.

 With the Trump administration’s refusal to hold white supremacists accountable, we can only expect acts of hate to continue across the country. We believe that equipped with the tools and skills to document hate, we can counter racist narratives and catalyze change in our communities.

Following the events in Charlottesville, WITNESS quickly pulled together our resources that cater specifically to safely and effectively capturing hate. We shared information on filming protests and police conduct, so that people are prepared to encounter authorities. We also reshared documenting acts of hate and how to capture high-quality footage with a mobile phone, so that anyone who takes out their cell phone to film can do so effectively. Lastly, we encouraged people to think ethically about their filming, like how and when it might be helpful (or not) to livestream or what identifying features should be concealed.

Using this link, human rights defenders can directly download our “Charlottesville and Beyond” package of materials and be prepared to use video and technology to fight racism here in the U.S. We believe that video can play a crucial role in countering hate when used in the right - and safe - way.  And we know, with our 25+ years of experience, that when supported with the right tools and skills, people can document and expose the truth. We continue our commitment to ensuring that anyone, anywhere can use video to protect and defend human rights. Together, we can catalyze lasting change.

Links:

• Filming Protests: Charlottesville and Beyond