As the United States deals with the aftermath of this weekend's white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia that resulted in deadly violence, some PR CEOs are confronting the issues of the weekend with their employees.

Weber Shandwick CEO Andy Polansky issued a statement after IPG CEO Michael Roth became the first holding company CEO to speak out — not only about the weekend’s violence — but also condemning "the white supremacist ideology that caused this."

Polansky’s statement (full statement below) praised members of the agency’s DC office who were on-site in Charlottesville “to help local officials, including Mayor Mike Signer, with strategic counsel, media relations and prep, crisis messaging and social media management. We helped ensure key messages about the local community's support for racial equity were at the core of the conversation – and in the process, helped shape the national dialogue.”

He added that “as Charlottesville begins the process of healing, we will continue to engage. We are speaking with the city about potential longer-term support, drawing in particular on our experience with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation efforts.”

Porter Novelli CEO Brad MacAfee (pictured) sent employees a 'no-Hate statement' on Monday that he shared with the Holmes Report. In the memo, MacAfee says, “Let me be clear: The white supremacist ideology we witnessed this weekend is abhorrent and contrary to our values as people and as an organization. It offends our most fundamental belief that every person has value and no arbitrary factor such as skin color makes one person superior to another.”

He also invites employees to join him this week in wearing a Porter Novelli-branded  'no hate' button to stand in solidarity with Charlottesville and other communities dealing with hate. The full memo can be seen below.

“People are hurting — they are sad coming out of this weekend,” MacAfee told the Holmes Report. “Sometimes people need to hear a voice and be reminded that diversity and inclusion is a core value. And this isn’t a political statement from us, it’s a human rights statement.”

He added that the decision to issue the statement was made as the weekend became “heavier” and the deadly gathering of white supremacist groups began to dominate social conversations.

Weber Shandwick CEO Andy Polansky statement to employees:

"We are disheartened by the hate-filled and violent events that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, this weekend.
 
The intolerance, hatred and racism that fueled the rally organized by white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups to protest the planned removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee and name changes to city parks violate the fundamental values of diversity, equity and inclusion we know make our lives richer and our world better.
 
We are proud that several Weber Shandwick colleagues played critical on-the-ground roles this weekend to help advance these values.
  
Members of our D.C. office were on-site in Charlottesville to help local officials, including Mayor Mike Signer, with strategic counsel, media relations and prep, crisis messaging and social media management. We helped ensure key messages about the local community's support for racial equity were at the core of the conversation – and in the process, helped shape the national dialogue. 
 
As Charlottesville begins the process of healing, we will continue to engage. We are speaking with the city about potential longer-term support, drawing in particular on our experience with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation efforts.
 
These days it seems there is an endless stream of incivility in our news feeds. But we know that through our talent, time and passion, we can engage in positive ways. We can do our part to create change.
 
Thank you to our colleagues for their important work this weekend and for making Weber Shandwick proud."
 

Porter Novelli CEO Brad MacAfee's statement to employees:

"I join you in sadness in the wake of the tragic events that took the lives of innocent people in Charlottesville, Virginia this weekend. These trying times call for us to take sides against hatred and vitriol. To quote Elie Wiesel, “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” Let me be clear: The white supremacist ideology we witnessed this weekend is abhorrent and contrary to our values as people and as an organization. It offends our most fundamental belief that every person has value and no arbitrary factor such as skin color makes one person superior to another.

I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our diversity perspective as an organization:

At Porter Novelli, we view diversity as both a moral imperative and a business imperative. Diversity drives our creativity and innovation. We believe diversity should be woven into everything we do. People of every race, color, faith, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, cognitive style, physical ability, and military or veteran status are welcome at Porter Novelli.

A few months ago, we initiated Porter Novelli Perspectives dialogue sessions amongst our internal community as a way to better understand one another and create more inclusive environments. These conversations must continue. I will be asking each of our offices to conduct follow-up discussions on how we as an organization can combat hate. More information will be forthcoming.

This week, I’m wearing my Porter Novelli “no hate” button to stand in solidarity with Charlottesville and communities around the world that experience hatred. I hope you’ll join me."