WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Following an eventful weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, UNCW Chancellor Zito Sartarelli is voicing his thoughts on what happened.
In a statement released Monday, Chancellor Sartarelli said:
In no uncertain terms, this weekend’s events in Virginia represent the kind of hatred and violence our country has long fought against, and I join my fellow leaders in higher education in condemning these acts and searching for a peaceful response to an unthinkable situation. We are an academic community and one that thrives on free speech and the exchange of ideas, and also one committed to civil discourse, protection against violence of any kind, and a humane response to conflict.
The acts of hatred, racism, bigotry, and destruction we saw in Virginia, and indeed in many other locations in the recent and distant past, will not be tolerated on our campus, period.
If you think you may need to talk to someone about recent events, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our counseling center (visit their webpage for more info, or call 910.962.3746). Discuss the events with friends, and perhaps more importantly, with strangers. Without a common approach to civility, we cannot move forward together.