Wednesday afternoon, a memorial service took place for Heather Heyer, who was killed Aug. 12 in Charlottesville, Virginia, when a car crashed into demonstrators who were protesting a white supremacy rally.

Heyer, 32, was with a group of counterprotesters that were gathered to show an alternative viewpoint to the white nationalists who had come to protest the removal of a statue of the Confederate general Robert E. Lee. She gave her life that day, simply because her beliefs didn’t align with someone else’s in the crowd. That is the problem that needs to be addressed.

That same evening, President Donald Trump gave a press conference from the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., at which he stated, “We have to come together as Americans with love for our nation and … true affection for each other.”

On that count, we agree. This country is divided, and we must find a way to bridge the gap. But the only way to fix these issues is to face them head on, without deflecting or spreading the blame, which ultimately takes away the focus from where it must lie — on the responsible parties.

The president also stated, “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides.” However, only one side made the decision to get behind the wheel of a car and run down innocent people simply for expressing themselves that day — simply for doing something that is their right to do, as Americans.

And if we place the blame anywhere else, it detracts from the incredible tragedy we all witnessed, and Heyer’s death is one that is in vain.

In an interview with The Mining Journal on Wednesday, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said, “I’m proud to say our focus is on unifying people and making it clear that hate groups aren’t welcome in our state.”

The New York Times reported Wednesday that Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro, stated during the memorial service that, “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”

The only way to fix these issues is to face them head on. A young woman tragically died Aug. 12, only because she chose to show up at a rally and express herself. That is completely unacceptable.

Just a reminder; the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Perhaps these hate groups should take note of the moral truths this country was founded upon.

It says “all men,” not a select few.