Friends, protest if you must. I understand the sudden feeling of needing to do something, to take action. But for the love of all that’s good and holy please keep it peaceful. Any showings of violence, any destruction of property is only going to diminish our message. People will no longer listen. They will only see the violence and destruction. And now more than ever we need people to listen. To give pause. Because for every picture of destruction there is a picture of swastikas being painted around towns, there are women being harassed, there are black baby dolls being found with ropes around their necks.  It’s time to put our anger and grief to use for the good.  It’s time to rise up and speak for those who can’t speak for themselves. Now is the time to offer safe places to those who are afraid.  We must put together a united front.

Because we are Americans “and here’s the thing about Americans: Our darkest days have always—always—been followed by our finest hours.”