Arnold Schwarzenegger Gives $100,000 to Simon Wiesenthal Center in a Stand Against Hate

By Nate Mandos (Mirrorcle World) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
By Nate Mandos (Mirrorcle World) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The former bodybuilder and Republican is not compatible with Trump’s GOP ideals

Movie star and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, donated $100,000 to Simon Wiesenthal Center[/tweetit], a non-profit specializing in Jewish human rights. He said the Charlottesville, VA demonstrations by the far right during the August weekend horrified him. The rally was composed of activists owing allegiance to the extreme right, neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Gives $100,000 to Simon Wiesenthal Center in a Stand Against Hate[/tweetthis]

Schwarzenegger knows the activities of the Simon Wiesenthal Center quite well. He mentioned his long involvement with the Los Angeles headquartered organization. He was open about his admiration for the center's mission. The latter wants to expand tolerance by combating hate all over the United States by promoting education. The center's activities are both online and also on the streets. The former bodybuilder urged his fans and followers to donate money to the anti-hate organizations they like.

The Charlottesville rally was full of anti-Semitic and racist slogans. An intentional car ramming attack by a far-right participant led to the death of a counter-protester. About 19 individuals were injured. There were fatalities among law enforcement as well. Two police officers died when their helicopter malfunctioned and crashed to the ground. Schwarzenegger said, “I have been horrified by the images of Nazis and white supremacists marching in Charlottesville and I was heartbroken that a domestic terrorist took an innocent life. My message to them is simple: you will not win. Our voices are louder and stronger. There is no white America — there is only the United States of America.”

Although Schwarzenegger may not be the Governor of California anymore, he continues to be in the public eye. The 70-year old actor originally from Austria continues to act. He is also fiercely against any kind of gerrymandering. The Republican has a running feud with President Donald Trump, frequently trading acid talks with the latter through social media.

Even though both Trump and Schwarzenegger both belong to the GOP, they are politically much different. When President Trump pulled the United States out of Paris climate accords, the actor was incensed. Schwarzenegger is an environmental activist and credited with making 'cap-and-trade' regulations on carbon emission regulations currently prevalent in California state. He has urged Trump leaning GOPs to stop lying to people. The personal animosity between Trump and Schwarzenegger can be traced back to the TV show The Apprentice. The show's ratings nosedived when the ex-bodybuilder was the host. Trump was quick to take potshots at him, thereby starting the feud.

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