Speak Out Against Hate hosts officials and community groups

Speak Out Against Hate welcomed 120 attendees, including 30 via Zoom, to its Feb. 26 meeting. Guests viewed a film from Not In Our Town, a nonprofit organization, about how Billings, Mont., stood up against attacks from white supremacists by bringing a diverse community together to unite against hate.

A moderated discussion followed on what individuals can do to work toward peace in the community, counter hate and stay involved in advancing positive improvements in Sussex County and beyond.

Organizers were honored to have Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes; Rep. Clair Snyder-Hall, D-Rehoboth Beach; and Third District Sussex County Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum attend and show support. Local organizations represented included Indivisible Inc. Southern Delaware, Sussex Pride, Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, Bryan Allan Stevenson School of Excellence, Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays and 100 Women Who Care Southern Delaware. Participants offered ideas for fighting against hate. All indicated interest in collective movement, working together in the fight for justice and equality.

The meeting resulted in a 33 point list of ways to engage and ideas on what people can do to counter hate. To learn more, visit soah-de.org.

Speak Out against Hate was formed two years ago as a nonpartisan, nonprofit Delaware corporation with a stated mission to speak out early and often, and engage those in positions to enact change to counter the rising tide of hate and hate incidents threatening many communities today.