My heart aches for Susan Bro, the mother of Heather Heyer, who was the young woman killed in the white supremacist terrorist attack in Charlottesville last Saturday. Susan Bro helped organize the huge memorial service for her daughter, held in Charlottesville on Wednesday. Most cable news outlets covered the memorial service live on-air, and Bro spoke with eloquence and emotion about what her daughter fought for every day on her life, and what Bro hopes her daughter’s legacy will be:
Here’s something to think about: in that moment, Donald Trump was trying to call Susan Bro. That was the first time he tried to reach out to her, the day of her daughter’s funeral. He hadn’t tried to speak to Bro in the days prior. Think about that. Trump was too busy talking about the “many sides” who were to blame for Heather’s death. Susan Bro appeared on Good Morning America today, and she spoke about how Trump and his people left messages for her on Wednesday. Then she heard Trump’s remarks about the “alt-left” and the neo-Nazis being “very fine people.” And now Susan Bro has no interest in speaking to Donald Trump.
Mother of Charlottesville victim Heather Heyer: "I'm not talking to the president now. I'm sorry." https://t.co/OAof8quXJP pic.twitter.com/5p3opa2bBV
— ABC News (@ABC) August 18, 2017
“Have you talked to him directly yet?”
“I have not and now I will not.”
You know what this reminds me of? Khizr Khan and his Gold Star family. Instead of just acknowledging that parents who have lost their children to greater causes, Trump chose to mock the Khans’ grief and criticize their family. I would imagine he will do the same with Susan Bro.
Photos courtesy of Getty, screencap courtesy of GMA.
“I’d rather have my child, But by golly, if I’ve got give her up, we’re going to make it count.”
I’m truly in awe of this woman.
@sixer
Yes me too. We can see where Heather got her courage from. These women are American heroes.
Yes. And yes.
I know, I sobbed when I heard her. I’m seeing red just thinking about Trump’s treatment of her to date and the criticism/revenge that we know he will unleash, as Kaiser said.
I bawled too.
I cannot imagine being so strong and well spoken if I was in her situation…not only does she have to deal with the pain of losing her daughter but also the president and his nonsense…hope she sticks to her guns and doesn’t give him the time of day
I could only hope for such grace. Honestly.
I could never be so strong. Bless this woman and the enduring memory of her equally courageous daughter.
Ms. Bro shows strength and dignity at a time that must so very painful for her. Proud of her for not letting Drumpf use her family as a political tool.
Trump supporters think he will build a wall, kick a bunch of brown people out, and most importantly, Make America “Great” Again. They hope he will get rid of Obamacare, which ironically, will hurt them the most. Under Obamacare, my pre-existing condition is insured. Before it, I struggled to make payments. Under the exchange, I pay just $200/month for health insurance. Also – My car insurance is down to $25/month (from Insurance-Panda). My renters insurance is just $10/month. Under Trump, America will become too unaffordable to live in.
Trump is either a buffoon — not good — or in service of the Russians — same. His advisors and Congress need to stop enabling and apologizing for Trump’s treasonous behavior. Congress needs to commence impeachment proceedings.
We can see where her daughter got her compassion and strength. Susan’s ability to rise above the hateful rhetoric and look for meaning in Heather’s death is truly remarkable.
Me too Sixer. She is an incredible woman.
Iconic. Even in her grief.
👏
Yes. Cannot imagine her pain. She is fierce.
Trump is a monster.
Right?? Having suffered such a profound loss, she is using it for good. Heather would be so proud of her.
Co-sign!
I choked up when I heard that statement on tv this morning. It’s been less than a week, and I’m in awe of the strength it took for her to speak with such strength so soon.
I know there are a million things wrong with Trump and the mangling of this and every situation but I am just dying inside at the idea that his staff was calling her MULTIPLE times on the day of her daughter’s funeral. I mean it’s like they try to be obtuse and unaware. Just absolute bullying disasters from pressers to this.
I am so impressed with that woman. She has handled the death of her daughter so gracefully- even though I wish she hadnt lost her at all. I cant even imagine the pain.
IMO, as a mom, I think she’s showing remarkable restraint and strength. I couldn’t.
I know, it’s breathtaking to behold. To choose love instead of hate, forgiveness instead of revenge and blame.
I was thinking this morning that her reaction really does bring into stark relief the difference between the right and the left. To me, anyway.
Me either Mabs. She is showing a grace that I don’t know that I would be capable of if it were my child. I have the utmost respect for her.
Agreed . She and her family have been the very definition of grace and strength during this horrific time. I also can see where Heather got her strength and integrity . I applaud her for standing her ground and rejecting Trump. At this point there would be no point or need for the meeting . He has openly endorsed racism and the terrorists responsible for her daughters death. If I were her, I’d be damned to be his PR band aid. He has shown zero compassion and empathy towards her family and those fighting against racism . No, he doesn’t deserve a second of her time. If it were me in her position , it would be war and I would go for the jugular .
Again , my deepest condolences to this family . I’m so sorry that they lost their daughter in such a violent way. They should be proud that she stood up for the right side. They raised a warrior and she didn’t die in vain .
I don’t think I could make it through it and do what she is doing. I want us to make it count. Heather and her family deserve it.
Trump was either too much of a coward or totally didn’t care about calling her. That’s why he called during the funeral. He had no intentions of speaking with her.
Agree. Since it was being broadcast he had to know the funeral was going on when he called. He’s a coward.
Trump called her during the funeral quite deliberately – he thought she’d be either impressed & “honored” by the call or too afraid not to pick up, & he’d get some badly needed “good” PR as he “expressed his condolences.” Yeah, he’s that delusional and tin-eared. He doesn’t give a rat’s ass about Heyer’s death or her mother’s grief – just his poll numbers (soon to be in the teens).
Brava to this woman for standing her ground and refusing to be another of Trump’s blunt tools. She’s shown extreme grace and conviction in the face of what must be crippling grief. I hope she finds peace and comfort in her daughter’s memory, which is a blessing.
Exactly. He’s the president-he has the wherewithal and resources to find her anywhere she happens to be. I do believe he’s afraid to speak with her, though he would never admit that. He didn’t do what was right for the country so I don’t expect he’d do the right thing here.
Everyone sees what a coward trump is, it’s why he’s so obsessed with “tough guys”. He’ll never be one. This woman is 1000x stronger than trump and we see that too.
Prayers with her family and admire her strength.
So true. I’m already teary and in awe – and your comments touched me too. She is so incredibly strong, gracious and a role model. I doubt I could ever handle this type of situation so well.
I’m not surprised Trump would try to call DURING the funeral (or even right around that time), but it is still outrageous.
As someone commented elsewhere, it’s also highly likely that he thought that she would jump at the chance to put him on speaker phone for all to hear how “compassionate” he is.
Or, you know, just an ignorant coward.
I think that’s it too. He wanted to be put on speaker, thought she would fall over in awe, and he could score brownie points. I wonder whose idea it was to call during the funeral? Bannon’s or a member of his clan? It would have to be a pre-written speech. Twoscoops needed to sound sympathetic without disturbing his base too much. I’d bet money it would have been insulting to Ms Bro.
Bravo Ms. Bro. Don’t let those monsters use you and your pain.
The courage and strength of this woman is incredible. I can’t believe her eloquence in such a trying time…I’d be cursing his name. She shows such grace, and it’s so much more powerful and effective.
It’s not surprising Heather was so tenacious with parents like hers.
I hope she stays strong and never talks to him. Trump pretty much blamed the counterprotesters for the violence and excused the murderer. Wouldn’t a president make an effort to go to the memorial service, not golf?
yes a real president would, but we have a business manager running our country. And he sucks at his job like so many corporate managers do!
This woman shows more courage than many have in their little fingers, especially Trump. I am in awe she is not displaying full on rage and hatred for and at the terrorism that was committed upon her daughter and family. May her daughter’s soul penetrate this mother’s heart and fill it with love and even more bravery so she can withstand, and stay far far away from, the instigator of hatred who is named Donald Trump. By equating the “protesters” and counter protesters Trump is basically blaming Heather for her own death. Stand your ground and be strong mom!!!!!
RIP Heather Heyer. Inspired by Susan’s strength at this time.
He didn’t even mention Heather by name in his “first” speech after her death. He would be condescending and it would muddy any positive message left unsaid by Heather. Mrs. Bro and her husband did fine and had courage under fire. President Obama would have been there for her as he was for all victims of the never ending tragedies. What makes me sad is that in another couple of months after a few more shootings, attacks, horrors, aside from her family and loved ones, will anybody remember Heather’s name. Heartbreaking.
I think people will remember Heather. Because her death revealed Trumps true nature- her name will be in history books.
I hope so. But look back in history. Name three of the children killed at Sandy Hook, even one. Once the story is over, it’s over. Now it’s still about the clown’s love for the Nazis, but with Barcelona, that too will go away soon. Truly don’t want to be cynical, but in the world we live in now, it’s hard not to be.
He did use her name when he exploited her death to bash Lindsey Graham
good for her
She should be very proud of her daughter, a person who had the courage of her convictions. I’m going to take sides here too – the courage of her morally and ethically entirely correct convictions. See, oaf in office, not that hard!
I wish I was as brave and noble.
”Think before you speak” BAM!
I was in NYC Wednesday. He shut down the FDR and surrounding streets early afternoon, in time to chopper back to Bedminster and get in a round of golf before dark. Long, rough day of work for him.
Words escape me. We can see where Heather got her mojo.
Please universe, shelter this mother and ensure her daughter’s message is fufilled.
A beautiful blessing. ITA with everything you said. People like this woman will save us.
RIP Heather Heyer – your voice will carry on.
Her mother was truly amazing, the strength amazes me.
Good. The poor lady needs to love herself right now. Can you imagie what listening to him try to talk to her as if he is an understanding, compassionate human would do to her mental/ emotional state right now?
He wouldn’t be compassionate as he has not one iota of empathy or humanity in that disgusting shell. He would only make its all about him and how unfair everyone is about his ridiculous response. Susan Bros and her family and friends don’t deserve the aggravation or rage that a phone call from 45 would illicit. Condolences and love to Heather’s family. She sacrificed her life for her beliefs and for what she thought her country meant to her. She was a true patriot.
Such a beautiful tribute to her feisty daughter, delivered with such raw but measured grace.
RIP to Heather and strength and love to her equally feisty grieving mother and family.
My understanding is that Susan Bro has been getting death threats. There are far too many evil people in this world.
I wonder if he imagined this scenario; he calls in the middle of the funeral, some one takes the call and cries “it’s the president” and everyone claps and praises his compassion and wisdom. In his dreams!
GOOD. I wish people could take this collective stance against him. But to ignore him would only infuriate him and push him to do God only knows what.
I tried to watch this but exactly 40 seconds in I could feel the tears coming on and I was like “ACK Can’t cry at work!!!” My goodness so sad.
I hate to say this… but she’s really doing him a favor. Like he was ever going to visit her anyway. Now he can just shrug it off. I get and respect what she’s saying, but I would have made him really work for people (the press) to stop asking questions about when he’s going to talk with her. Or at least have him lie about why he hasn’t met with me and put another bruise on his shameful legacy.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHZbjwiXcAArLUF.jpg:large
I hope this link works. I suggest any money raised as a result of something like this be donated to an anti-hate charity in Heather’s or her mom’s name.
she should be allowed to beat Trump with her shoes tbh
wow, made me tear up as well.