'United Front' Vigil Brings Community Together In Love, Peace: Photos, Video

GREENPORT, NY — With a world ravaged by natural disaster and violence during recent events such as Hurricane Irma and Charlottesville, residents in Greenport turned out Thursday to convey a message of unity, love, and acceptance.

While a well-attended first unity rally was held in Greenport immediately after news of Charlottesville broke, organizer Jim Shaw of Greenport said that "organic" gathering led to many expressing the desire to keep the momentum going.

A second rally, "United Front", was held on Front Street at Mitchell Park in Greenport Thursday, organized as "a gathering for everyone with a compassionate and open mind" to "celebrate love and community.

With DACA and Hurricane Harvey's devastation on minds nationwide, Shaw said it was important to come together to fight back against divisiveness and focus on unity.

"We need to join hands and realize we are all in this together," said retired clergyman Ben Burns.

Rabbi Barbara Sheryll of the North Fork Reform Synagogue spoke about the importance, before speaking, to ask whether the words are true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind. "Buddha teaches us if you focus on hurt you will continue to hurt and if you focus on good, you will continue to grow," she said.

The only way to counteract hate, she said, is with respect and civility.

Rev. Roger Joslin, vicar Church of the Redeemer in Mattituck and Holy Trinity Church in Greenport, said with most of his life spent in Texas, the possible demise of DACA has him concerned. But, he added, the outpouring of opposition to President Donald Trump's DACA announcement has been encouraging, he said.

Burns added that all who live in Greenport realize that residents share differences. "But we're neighbors," he said. "We trust each other and respect each other."

Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard agreed, saying that while there may be disagreements at times, the small town values of trust and loyalty keep the village united even in the face of divisive national events. "In the bigger picture, we have to protect the people here, look out for each other, and respect one another. At the end of the day, we're all from Greenport," Hubbard said.

Greenport Village Trustee Doug Roberts reminded that the village board adopted a "welcoming community"designation in February.

Village residents, he said, "band together," through hurricanes, when the school needs roofing, when first responders need support. Village residents, he said, "reject hatred," whether after violent crimes in South Carolina or Orlando.

Greenport, Roberts said, supports its Latino neighbors, "especially our Dreamers." He added, "We are neighbors and we will get through this together."

The event included poetry and song.

Sonia Spar and Val Shelby, co-chairs of the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force, both spoke.

"This is a time when we need moral leadership," Spar said. "We have to speak out against acts of violence and bigotry and say, 'This is not acceptable.' Silence is encouraging this violence." Children are watching the actions of the adults and learning, she said.

"We need to say, 'No, we are not going to accept it.' We need to say it and write it on our online walls," because that's where dialogue is taking place, Spar said.

"This county is in a state of crisis," Shelby added. "It is our responsibility to speak out. Hating hurts your soul."

"We are the community. We need to stand up for each other and help each other, right when we need to be helped out," Shaw said.

Photos, video by Lisa Finn.