No Hate in Our Valley

Suzanne Marshall, 27.04.2009 00:22

Citizens of the Rogue Valley gathered in Phoenix, Oregon to stand against hate, racism and neo-nazi activities that a new white supremacy group, the National Socialist Movement, Oregon Unit, has brought to the region.

Sunday, April 26, 2009 was a beautiful sunny day for a rally to voice opposition to the dark, disturbing new National Socialist Movement, Oregon Unit, that has planted itself like a noxious weed in Phoenix. From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. scores of people lined the highway in front of Rays' grocery to show opposition to the neo-nazi group and to promote peaceful, loving, inclusive behavior in our Rogue Valley communities. Retired folks, young people, college professors, students, children, motorcyclists in balck leather, bicyclists in neon all waved signs at the passersby at the busy intersection. "Not in Our Valley," "Love Not Hate," on homemade signs, heart shaped balloons bounced above swasticas with the NO sign slashed through them, drew the attention of traffic. The honking of horns showed the support of drivers with few showing sympathy for the tiny group of neo-nazis waving their flags. Many drivers stopped at my corner to ask what the event was about. Most expressed dismay that such a hate group had chosen our community to invade. The saddest sight was the toddler dressed in pink standing with the Nazi group. Raising children in such an environment is frightening-and it is the way such beliefs and behaviors are passed on in society. Two young Hispanic boys passed by who did not understand what the problem was. Since the NSM specified their hatred of Mexicans in a recent news article, it seems imperative that education about white supremacist and other hate groups be implemented in schools and other places young people go. Their knowledge of the 1930s Nazi movement is often vague or non existent. As I stood on my corner, two women came over to join us. One spoke of her expereience in the European Nazi period during World War II. She said we must speak out to prevent such atrocities again. In situations like this, Silence is the Voice of Complicity.

e-mail:: suzanne.marshall@yahoo.com

Download this article in pdf format >>

Add this article to your pdf newsletter selection >>

Checkout and Download your PDF-newsletter selection >>

Email this article to someone >>

Make a quick comment on this article >>

Thanks... 27.04.2009 - 15:25 Thanks for reporting on this and I am so glad there was a large turn out of people supporting tolerance. Vanessa Houk> Homepage:: http://