Newtown CT Democratic Town Committee

Michelle Embree Ku for Newtown

4 hours ago

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On Saturday night, using the cover of darkness and masks, about a dozen men stood outside Danbury police headquarters holding a banner that read, “Keep New England White.”

This racism and hate cannot go unanswered.

I grew up in Evanston, Illinois, a community much like Danbury in its diversity. In our neighboring community of Skokie, many Holocaust survivors had rebuilt their lives. In the late 1970s, neo-Nazis sought to march through Skokie. The ensuing legal battle ultimately affirmed their First Amendment rights, but the march itself never took place. Instead, the threat of that march galvanized Holocaust survivors, neighbors, and faith leaders to stand together against hatred and intimidation.

That important lesson has stayed with me.

Danbury, and every city, deserves the same response. We cannot answer hatred by pretending it isn't there, and we cannot answer it by abandoning the principles that protect everyone's right to speak. We answer it by standing together and making clear that intimidation and bigotry do not represent who we are.

I grew up in a community committed to inclusion, but racism, prejudice, and stereotyping existed there, as they do everywhere. I learned early that this is a fight worth fighting. I've also always known that I was fortunate to be born in this country. I didn’t earn the circumstances of my birth, and I don't believe anyone should be judged—or treated as more or less American—because of where they, their parents, or earlier generations were born.

Danbury is our neighbor, and its diversity is one of its strengths. It’s part of what makes our community, our region, and our country strong.

We must never be silent when people are targeted for who they are or where they come from.

And, we must not let a handful of people who want to divide us, convince us that they speak for New England.

They do not.

#antiracism #StandTogether #communityfirst #community #speakout
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