Heather Heyer's Mom Susan Bro Speaks At Memorial: Killing ‘Magnified’ Daughter's Voice

The mother of Heather Heyer — the slain counter-protester at a white nationalist rally Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia — received a standing ovation Wednesday during a public memorial service for her daughter at the Paramount Theater. With more than 1,000 in attendance, Heyer's mother, Susan Bro, told the crowd, “They tried to kill my child to shut her up. Well, guess what? You just magnified her.”

Bro's speech, which was broadcasted live on cable news networks, underscored a volatile week in the United States, as President Donald Trump has received public condemnation from both sides of the political aisle for not fully admonishing the white nationalists. Her comments echoed a growing sentiment for healing after Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency.

“Here’s what I want to say to you today,” Bro began. “I could have said, ‘Let’s don’t do this publically, let’s have a small private funeral.’ But that’s not who Heather was. Anybody who knew Heather said, ‘Yep, this is how she had to go — big and large, had to have the world involved.’ Because that’s my child. She’s just that way.

“Because here’s the message: Although Heather was a caring and compassionate person, so are a lot of you. A lot of you go that extra mile. And I think that what happened to Heather has struck a chord is because we know that what she did is achievable. We don’t all have to die. We don’t all have to sacrifice our lives.”

Heyer, a 32-year-old paralegal from Greene County, Virginia, died Saturday when she was plowed down by an alleged alt-right supporter who drove a car into a group of counter-protesters.

James Alex Fields Jr., 20, is accused of killing Heyer and injuring 19 others during the attack. The Ohio resident was charged with second-degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding and failure to stop after an accident.

“So here’s what I want to happen,” Bro said. “I want this to spread. I don’t want this to die. This is just the beginning of Heather’s legacy. This is not the end of Heather’s legacy. You need to find in your heart that small spark of accountability. ‘What is there that I can do to make the world a better place? What injustice do I see?’”

“If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention,” she concluded. “I’d rather have my child but by golly, if I gotta give her up, we’re going to make it count.”

President Trump on Wednesday commended the service on Twitter, writing, “Memorial service today for beautiful and incredible Heather Heyer, a truly special young woman. She will be long remembered by all!”