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Charlottesville Victim's Mother: They Tried to Silence Her, But They 'Just Magnified Her'

August 16, 2017

Susan Bro, the mother of slain Charlottesville protester Heather Heyer, spoke at her funeral Wednesday to say that those attempting to silence her daughter have only served to magnify her.

Bro spoke about Heyer's virtues, including her kindness and action against injustice, at the service. Bro said that her daughter standing up against bigotry is part of a cause that the audience could take up as well.

"I think the reason that what happened with Heather has struck a chord is because we know what she did is achievable," she said. "We don't all have to die, we don't all have to sacrifice our lives. They tried to kill my child to shut her up, but guess what? They just magnified her."

Bro made that point in light of her examination of what she wanted to do following her daughter's death.

"This could be a storm in a teacup and it could all be for nothing," she said. "I could've said, 'Let's not do this publicly; let's have a small private funeral,' but you know that's not who Heather was."

"Anyone who knew Heather said, 'Yep, this is the way she had to go, big and large, had to have the world involved.' Because that's my child," Bro said. "She's just that way—always has been, and she will continue to be."

Published under: Charlottesville