In a virtual press briefing Friday, Gov. Jim Justice addressed a letter sent to him by West Virginia House of Delegates member Danielle Walker, a Democrat from Monongalia County.
The letter called on Justice to address a rise in white supremacy and messages of hate across West Virginia.
Justice said he had received Walker’s letter and ordered the state police and the West Virginia Human Rights Commission to reach out to Walker and look into the issue.
“We don’t need to tolerate at any level, any level of hate and hatred and hate speech … anywhere at any time,” Justice said.
Walker’s letter recalled participating in a Black Lives Matter event in Kingwood on Sept. 12. What was promoted as a peaceful event, reportedly turned hostile when those protesting racial injustice were met by counter protesters.
Walker said another event in Morgantown the following day was also met with several of the same counter protesters.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement Friday, condemning the messages of hate Walker received. The group is the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization.