Date Change: Love Your Neighbor Event is Aug. 11

The Concord Love your Neighbor Coalition, created in September 2011 in response to racist graffiti on refugee homes in Concord’s south end, is welcoming all Concord residents to a free celebration in Keach Park on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 4 to 9 pm. Special attractions include a youth soccer tournament, multicultural music played by local DJ Franklyn Rosario, an African drumming circle, a bouncy house, a raffle and free food.  And for the first time ever, Love your Neighbor T-shirts will be available for sale at the event.

“We created this event to show that Concord is delighted to have new neighbors.  We celebrate the ongoing arrival of immigrants and refugees who are making a home in this community from many places around the world,” said Honore Murenzi, director of New American Africans and one of the founders of the Love your Neighbor coalition.

“The Love your Neighbor Coalition came into existence as a creative response to something hateful,” explained Cheryl Bourassa of Concord’s Unitarian Universalist Church, another coalition member.  “And while it is important to respond to negative events, we want to keep giving Concord people an opportunity to meet their new neighbors and to enjoy each other, not just when there has been a crime or an offense.”  This community celebration was first held last year, in July 2012 and the event drew over 200 people.

The coalition includes New American Africans, many member churches of the Greater Concord Interfaith Council, the American Friends Service Committee, the Disabilities Rights Center, Fieldwork Photos and many individual Concord residents.  

Sponsors for this event include Steve Duprey, the City of Concord, New England Distributors, Taylor Rental, the Unitarian Universalist Church, Katmandu Snack Shop, Stonyfield Yogurt and many local businesses which have donated raffle items.

“I think many other communities in New Hampshire marvel at what has come together here in Concord,” said Maggie Fogarty of the American Friends Service Committee.  “It is a simple formula—to bring people together for play, music and food—and it works.  It truly strengthens the community’s identity as a welcoming place.”

Keach Park and the Heights Playground are located off Loudon Road in Concord.