Thread by @jackmjenkins

1. As we mark the 2-year anniversary of the tragic events in Charlottesville, Virginia, a quick reminder: although it was oddly under-covered, a sizable number of the counter-protesters staring down white supremacists that day were clergy. thinkprogress.org/clergy-in-char…

2. They were there from the beginning.

Remember that torchlight rally? That was directly across the street from a church, where progressive faith leaders were leading a service in defiance of white supremacists.

When torch-bearers arrived, they rushed to lock the doors.

3. Side note: one of the few journalists covering that service was @joshua_eaton, at ThinkProgress at the time.

When he heard about the rally, he rushed across the street to cover it.

That’s why he’s at the center of this iconic Reuters image, doing journalism.

4. In addition to my piece above, Joshua’s reporting breaking down the role of local Charlottesville activists — many of whom are faith-based — who counter-protested white nationalists that day is definitely worth a read. thinkprogress.org/cville-fightin…

5. The next day, faith leaders had white supremacists *break through their lines* when they lined up to block their entry to the park.

Activists say this image (via Heather Wilson) takes place right after white nationalists shoved clergy aside with shields.

6. And when a white supremacist took the horrific action of running down demonstrators later that day, clergy were among those who rushed to aid the wounded, and some locked arm in arm to form a circle of protection, which Wilson captured here —> dustandlightphoto.com/index/G000063z…

7. Long story short: the role of religious activists is an under-reported story from that day, and deserves attention.

Read more here: thinkprogress.org/clergy-in-char…