Charlottesville Street Renamed In Honor Of Heather Heyer

Jenna Amatulli
Updated

The Charlottesville, Virginia, street where Heather Heyer was killed on Aug. 12 has been renamed “Heather Heyer Way” in her memory.

Heyer, a 32-year-old paralegal passionate about social justice, died when a car plowed into a group of anti-racist demonstrators who were protesting a white supremacist rally in the city.

(Photo: GoFundMe)
(Photo: GoFundMe)

At a ceremony on Wednesday, Charlottesville honored Heyer’s memory by renaming the part of Fourth Street where she was struck. Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro, spoke at the dedication event and talked about how hard it is for her to come to the street.

“I find it easier to go to the cemetery than to come here, frankly,” Bro said

She added: “I’m proud of how she died. What other legacy could a mother ever want for her child?”

Heyer’s father, Mark Heyer, her mentor and coworker at the Miller Law Group, Alfred Wilson, and Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer also spoke at the ceremony.

“The terror attack that resulted in Ms. Heyer’s death and serious injuries to dozens more shocked our community and touched the heart and soul of not only Charlottesville, but the entire country,” read a proclamation signed by the mayor. “This honorary designation pays tribute to Ms. Heyer’s dedication to justice, fairness, equal rights for all and positive social change.”

The car that careened into the demonstrators was allegedly driven by James Alex Fields Jr., 20, who had participated in the white supremacist rally. He was arrested shortly after the attack and initially charged with second-degree murder ― an offense punishable by five to 40 years in prison. But at a preliminary hearing last week, the main charge against the Ohio man was upgraded to first-degree murder, which carries a sentence of 20 years to life.

Heyer’s mother said last week she still has to protect her daughter, even after the young woman’s death.

Heyer’s ashes are in an unmarked and undisclosed location because of “extremists who profess their hatred for Heyer and Bro, and who convey their continued threats of violence toward Bro and others of Heyer’s family,” according to The Daily Beast.

Bro told the publication that she visits the site without being bothered and that other relatives and close friends have been there.

“It’s a symptom of hate in society that you should have to protect your child’s grave, for Pete’s sake,” Bro said. “So, I’m protecting my child now.”

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A man wears a purple ribbon to remember Heather Heyer, who was killed protesting during a white supremacist rally, as he arrives for her memorial service at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 16, 2017.
A man wears a purple ribbon to remember Heather Heyer, who was killed protesting during a white supremacist rally, as he arrives for her memorial service at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 16, 2017.
The Paramount Theater marquee bears the name of Heather Heyer. 
The Paramount Theater marquee bears the name of Heather Heyer. 
Heather Heyer's mother, Susan Bro, walks by a picture of her daughter after speaking at her memorial service.
Heather Heyer's mother, Susan Bro, walks by a picture of her daughter after speaking at her memorial service.
Mourners gather inside the Paramount Theater. 
Mourners gather inside the Paramount Theater. 
Heather Heyer's father, Mark Heyer, speaks at her memorial service.
Heather Heyer's father, Mark Heyer, speaks at her memorial service.
Mourners inside the Paramount Theater wear purple, as Heyer's family had requested. Purple was her favorite color.
Mourners inside the Paramount Theater wear purple, as Heyer's family had requested. Purple was her favorite color.
People line up to attend the memorial service. 
People line up to attend the memorial service. 
Marcus Martin (center), who was injured in the same car attack that killed Heyer, leaves the memorial service.
Marcus Martin (center), who was injured in the same car attack that killed Heyer, leaves the memorial service.
Anna Quillon hands out purple pieces of cloth outside the memorial service.
Anna Quillon hands out purple pieces of cloth outside the memorial service.
People wore stickers and ribbons to the memorial service. 
People wore stickers and ribbons to the memorial service. 
A poster announcing the memorial service.
A poster announcing the memorial service.
Mia Jones shows off the "NO H8" message written on her hands.
Mia Jones shows off the "NO H8" message written on her hands.
Outside the service, people carry guns to provide security in the event of far-right protesters.
Outside the service, people carry guns to provide security in the event of far-right protesters.
A person tapes a note to the front door of a bookstore to announce that it will close during the memorial service for Heather Heyer.
A person tapes a note to the front door of a bookstore to announce that it will close during the memorial service for Heather Heyer.
A man puts on a purple ribbon while waiting in line. 
A man puts on a purple ribbon while waiting in line. 
People carry bats and shields to provide security.
People carry bats and shields to provide security.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.