After Charlottesville, McAuliffe Creates Groups On Public Safety, Diversity

RICHMOND, VA—After violence erupted at a white supremacist demonstration nearly two weeks ago, Gov. Terry McAuliffe has created two groups to move forward with policy solutions Thursday.

The governor created the Task Force on Public Safety Preparedness and Response to Civil Unrest with an executive order. Led by Brian Moran, the state's secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the task force will investigate what led to civil unrest at the white supremacist rallies Aug. 11 and 12. It will also evaluate state and local preparations for rallies where disruptions could occur.

The review includes:

• An independent After-Action Review
• Review of how rally permits are issued
• Review of state preparations for civil unrest
• Review of state's ability to carry out coordinated response to civil unrest

In another related executive order, McAuliffe also created the Commonwealth Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The commission will investigate how hatred and discrimination against racial minorities, religious groups and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered individuals led to the events in Charlottesville.

See Also: Charlottesville Takes Action To Help Mend The City After Deadly Rally

Aside from recommending policies at the state level, it will make suggestions for ways the federal government can support state efforts.

The commission will:

• Identify state laws that could perpetuate intolerance
• Recommend state laws to strengthen tolerance
• Recommend partnerships with community organizations to promote diversity and inclusion
• Create resources to support government at the local level
• Hosting public discussions on unity and reconciliation
• Identify reasons people join extremist groups
• Recommend best practices on identifying people at risk of joining the groups
• Recommend solutions to prevent people from interacting with such groups
• Recommend solutions on helping people that have joined such groups
• Recommend federal policy changes, including Departments of Justice and Homeland Security funding to state government on combating domestic terrorism and unlawful conduct arising from hatred

"Those events should be a wakeup call for every citizen about the need to work together constructively to examine the origins of racism, discrimination and radicalization and what steps we can take to drive those pernicious forces from our Commonwealth and our country," said McAuliffe in a statement.

Last week, the governor said Trump and he discussed working toward unity but says his public statements were "not leadership." McAuliffe and others have criticized President Trump's speeches about Charlottesville blaming "many sides" for the violence. Trump brought up his Charlottesville comments Wednesday, blaming the media for coverage of his responses, USA Today reported.

McAuliffe will announce membership for the public safety task force and the commission on diversity in the coming days.

Pictured is Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe addressing a news conference concerning the white nationalist rally and violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, Saturday, Aug. 12. Image by Steve Helber/Associated Press