Coalition Started To Fight Back Against Racism In Somerset County

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Somerset County locals are coming together to show their support against racism and hate in the community after white supremacy fliers were found recently in Bedminster, Bridgewater, Somerville, Morristown and other nearby towns.

Activists are starting a “Community Values Coalition” in an effort to mobilize a response to the racist fliers.

• See Related: White Supremacy Fliers Found Across Somerset County

“At recent meetings held in the wake of the disturbing postings of white supremacist flyers in Somerset County, many people passionately voiced the need for delivering a community message in response. As organizers of the effort to mobilize the response, we are now creating a plan for action,” said Stacey Katz Friedlander, founder of the Not In Our Town - Bridgewater/Raritan Facebook group.

The plan will be presented at a meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8 in Basking Ridge. To RSVP email communityvaluessc@gmail.com.

The group is also asking locals to share their ideas about how to deliver their community message, and what the message might include by emailing wtpnj07@gmail.com.

Friedlander noted that the coalition is non-partisan and a positive group.

“Our message to groups posting white supremacist flyers will be: ‘Get out of our town - your message will not be tolerated here!’ But we also want our message to express positively: ‘This is who we are!’ We will be voicing our shared feeling of who we are as a community,” Friedlander said in the event group.

"As a law enforcement official I commend all of these residents for speaking out and I proudly stand alongside them in their continued efforts to bring community awareness on this very sensitive issue," said Chief Tim Pino, Ret. Somerset County Sheriff's Office.

Along with the formation of the “Community Values Coalition” locals are being encouraged to purchase Hate Has No Home Here merchandise.

Somerville local Donna Gioia Volpe started the non-profit HHNHH Somerville/Central Jersey chapter in February 2017 after she was “concerned about the rise of displays of hate and bigotry and so much misinformation about the immigrant population.”

“I just didn't know what I could do to help, then I read an article about the HHNHH project and decided that it was the perfect fit for me,” Volpe said. “I started a Facebook page and shortly after a website so those who don't a Facebook account can find me.”

Since starting her chapter, Volpe has distributed close to 2,000 lawn signs and over 1,000 bumper stickers, magnets, posters, and buttons.

“It has been a very gratifying experience and I have met some incredible people along the way,” Volpe said.
For more information on the Community Values Colation event email communityvaluessc@gmail.com.

For more information or to buy Hate Has No Home Here - Somerville/Central Jersey merchandise visit the website here or Facebook.

• Related: 'Outraged' Activists Condemn Racist Fliers In Somerset County

(Image via Hate Has No Home Here - Somerville/Central NJ)

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