Westfield Residents March Against Hate

WESTFIELD, NJ - Hundreds of residents packed that streets with signs and solidarity on Wednesday as part of the March for Love and Against Hate organized by the Temple

"What an incredible response from the community," Rabbi Doug Sagal posted to social media. "Thank you to all who came to show their support, and a big thank you to the Westfield PD for keeping us safe. Together, we are stronger."

The event began with a gathering with the entire community in front of the Town Hall that departed at 6:30 p.m. down East Broad Street in the direction of Temple Emanu-El. From there a service was held in the sanctuary and hold a brief service that included members of the interfaith community.

"We will stand, Jew and non-Jew, together, against the rising tide of hate that inflicts injury on us all. We will march, because Lori Kaye, martyred yesterday at the Chabad of Poway, cannot march. We will march, because the martyred of the Tree of Life synagogue cannot march," Sagal said. "We will march, because the martyred of Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Charleston cannot march."

Mayor Shelley Brindle spoke at the event, committing to do her part against acts which she described as cowardly. Her complete comments are below:

"And so, we meet again in the aftermath of yet another hate crime where innocent people praying peacefully were attacked in a house of worship – this time in the community of Poway just north of San Diego. Sadly, this March was planned before this latest incident even happened. These are the times we’re living in.

Last Saturday, a 19-year-old man with hate in his heart entered the Chabad of Poway during the last day of Passover, yelled anti-Semitic slurs and opened fire with an assault weapon, killing one woman and injuring three innocent people. When police searched the alleged shooter’s social media accounts, they found hateful comments targeting our Jewish brethren.

Sounds all too familiar, doesn’t it?

Here at home, we have recently witnessed an unacceptable spate of anti-Semitic slurs and symbols in our schools, on our sidewalks, and in neighboring towns. This hate speech has no place in our community – where everyone has the right to feel safe and accepted – and I’m redoubling on my commitment that such acts against any cultural, religious, or ethnic group will not be tolerated in this place we all call home.

These cowardly acts – whether they are violent or verbal -- are acts against all of us who believe in peace, love and freedom. And so we as citizens of a free nation, and a concerned community, must band together, as we are doing tonight, to rise up and say to the haters: 'You will never defeat us,' just as one long time congregant at Chabad of Poway affirmed 'We will not be broken. This is not going to break us.'

Our best response to the haters is to commit to making our community a model of compassion and tolerance for everyone, which is what I believe we all aspire to be. All of our brothers, sisters, friends and neighbors here in Westfield deserve our unwavering support, whether you’re Jewish, Muslim, African American, LGBTQ or someone who has historically been disenfranchised. I challenge every member of this community to do their part. Talk to your kids. Lead by example. Proactively engage with others who may not look or act like you to instill appreciation and understanding.

I commit to doing my part too, including working more closely with Rabbi Sagal and the pastoral community who comprise our ministerium to identify ways we can have more honest and open conversations about inclusion across our community. I also commit to showcasing and celebrating the ethnic and religious diversity of our community so that everyone knows that we are One Westfield.

And tonight is a very good first step, demonstrated by the outpouring of love, support and solidarity for those who have been impacted by recent acts of violence in houses of worship. Whether it be Charleston, Pittsburgh, Quebec, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and now Poway – whether the targets were Jewish, Christian, or Muslim --you have chosen to stand up against hate and call out the haters.

You have chosen to stand up and speak out against prejudice and intolerance.
You have chosen to stand up and say, 'Enough is enough. You will not beat us.'
Think of this for a moment: these attackers have all attempted to disrupt peaceful life by filling places of worship with violence, fear and hate. Yet what has been the result of their heinous acts? Just look around. Peace, love and solidarity. Rabbi Goldstein, who was injured in the attack, summed up the views of many when he said:

'We will not be intimidated or deterred by terror. Terror will not win.'

Let us always remember Rabbi Goldstein’s words. Let us work together to end, once and for all, gun violence. And let us always stand with peace-loving people who choose love over hate. And let’s all say to ourselves: 'let it begin with me.'

May God bless you and our wonderful community."

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