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Politics took center stage Sunday night at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards. Celebrities who attended the award show made it clear that the events of Charlottesville, Virginia were not far from their minds. Paris Jackson presented the first award and immediately denounced hatred and racism as she took the stage. “We must show these Nazi white supremacist jerks in Charlottesville, and all over the country, that as a nation with liberty as our slogan, we have zero tolerance for their violence and their hatred and their discrimination,�� Michael Jackson’s eldest daughter said before presenting the best pop video award to Fifth Harmony. “We must resist.”Susan Bro, the mother of Heather Heyer, who was killed during the violence earlier this month in Charlottesville, appeared during the ceremony to present the Best Fight Against the System, a category created this year to recognize music videos that embody activism and social justice.She was introduced by the Rev. Robert Wright Lee, who said he was a descendant of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The planned removal of a statue of Lee prompted the Charlottesville demonstration.The younger Lee called racism “America’s original sin.�� He said was working to “answer God’s call to confront racism and white supremacy�� and sought inspiration from the Black Lives Matter movement, participants in January’s Women’s March and Heyer’s bravery for standing up for her beliefs.“Only 15 days ago, my daughter Heather was killed as she protested racism,�� Bro told the VMA audience. “I miss her, but I know she’s here tonight. I’ve been deeply moved to see people across the world — the whole world — find inspiration in her courage.”Bro took her time on the stage to announce the Heather Heyer Foundation, a nonprofit organization that will provide scholarships “to help more people join Heather’s fight against hatred.��