*By Christian Smith*
A year after white supremacists marched through Charlottesville, Va., the country has seen a rise in racism, said Patrisse Cullors, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter.
But Cullors told Cheddar's Baker Machado she is heartened by the many Americans who are confronting alt-right extremists.
"We continue to see an upsurge in racism, but we also see an upsurge in people fighting back," Cullors said Monday, adding that more women and people of color are running for office and making their voices heard.
Counter-protesters far [outnumbered](https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/12/us/unite-the-right-charlottesville-anniversary/index.html) the few dozen alt-right demonstrators who gathered in Washington on Sunday for the "Unite the Right 2" rally on the anniversary of the Charlottesville riot. Cullors said that was a victory for Black Lives Matter and other groups trying to blunt racist forces and defend democracy.
"We're seeing so many groups ー Muslim groups, black communities, Latino immigrants, black immigrants ー joining together in this moment to stand up for our rights to say, 'this is our country too.'"
Although she said Sunday was a triumph, Cullors added there is significant work ahead.
"We still have a white supremacist in office, and we're still dealing with an administration that continues to be anti-black and anti-immigrant."
In preparation for the midterm elections this November, Black Lives Matter chapters ー specifically in the Southern and Midwest regions ー are putting their weight behind progressive candidates.
For full interview, [click here] (https://cms.cheddar.com/videos/VmlkZW8tMjIwMTY=).
A service dog named Justin got a diploma along with his owner, Grace Mariana, during a graduation ceremony at Seton Hall University on Monday.
All week long, Cheddar's own Shannon Lanier is giving you ideas on how to have fun without going too far from home. In this segment, he's creating a water park in his backyard and speaking with Jackie Cucco, senior editor at The Toy Insider, about some of the best products out there to make this a reality.
A little girl in Ireland born with spina bifida got a surprise from her family.
Over 1,400 props from classic movies like Star Wars, Shawshank Redemption and Gladiator will be up for auction next month in what experts say will be one of the largest memorabilia auctions in the world.
From reality TV's newest pop star to Margot Robbie's very pink gifts, here are your top entertainment headlines.
Tina Turner, the unstoppable singer and stage performer who teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and ‘70s and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age with the chart-topping "What's Love Got to Do With It," has died at 83.
Rapper Fetty Wap was sentenced to six years in federal prison on Wednesday for his role in a New York-based drug-trafficking scheme.
The daughters of Cheddar's own Shannon LaNier had a chance to interview Halle Bailey, who plays Ariel in Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
MTV has announced the Video Music Awards will be held this September in New Jersey.
A London judge rejected Prince Harry's bid to pay for his own police protection Tuesday, denying the royal's request to challenge the U.K. government in court.
