In World Rocked By New Mass Shootings, Town Strives For Unity

PECONIC, NY — Hours before the world was rocked by the horrific news of two new mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, a group on the North Fork gathered in an ongoing mission of peace, understanding and love for all.

Sharing laughter, conversation, and plates piled high with homemade food, the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force joined Saturday for its 10th Annual Community Picnic. The event, "Celebrating Unity in Diversity," was held under an expansive tent at the Peconic Community Center on Peconic Lane.

The day was marked by good food, fun, and a vision of understanding and acceptance.
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell addressed the crowd gathered, stating that the event grows year after year, a testament to the hard work of the Southold Town ABTF, which tries to foster civil dialogue in the community.

(Lisa Finn)
"I know the events of Washington are very discouraging," he said. "But they do not represent the people of the United States of America. Let's not get discouraged. Let's continue to focus on the local level. That's where the differences get made. To foster the dialogue between both parties, to foster the dialogue between both points of view. The strength in each community is what is going to change that tone. It's what's going to make the difference and bring this country back to what it was just a few years before, I promise you."

Russell said the ABTF is representative of what the United States is all about. "All these different people, with different philosophies and different views, all under one tent working together, talking together, eating together — that's what we're about."

Once again, Russell echoed praise for the ABTF, the "hardest-working group I've ever worked with. The Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force is the source of my most profound joy in the job I do," he said.

Sonia Spar, co-chair of the ABTF, said the event was so important because people need to get to know one another, to se one another, to talk to one another — sharing a meal in the summer sunshine — and see how much all have in common.

From all the community members who donated food, services, and time, to the crowd that turned out, Spar said all have a part to play.

It's important, she added, for the children to see adults celebrating diversity and mutual respect and working toward unity — critical in fighting back against acts of hatred in the world.

(Lisa Finn)

After the mass shootings, Spar spoke out on Facebook: "I cannot find the words to express how I feel after hearing/reading about the hate crime shooting in El Paso, TX, where Hispanics/Latinos were the target of a white supremacist. And then I woke up to read about the senseless shooting in Ohio. We, the Anti-Bias Task Force, hosted our annual Unity Picnic yesterday. Many people came but I wish more would come. We cannot let hatred take over our town. We need to be a voice for those who live in fear of becoming the next target. I will continue giving a voice to the most vulnerable members of our community, because we need to fight back against hatred, bigotry, discrimination."

At the event, Spar also noted that thanks was given to the EMTs and first responders who work to keep the community safe, including the late Renee Carragher-Phelps, who volunteered joyfully with the ABTF even while battling her illness, a shining light of service helping others.

ABTF Co-Chair Val Shelby looked around the gathering and noted that all political parties and the diverse mix of guests were gathered in one space "breaking bread, singing songs, and just having a joyous time."

The event includes readings by the Poetry Street Poets, including Susan Dingle, music, and the ukelele band from Peconic Landing, as well as children's activities and face painting and a prize drawing.

"Let's celebrate our diversity in unity," the Southold ABTF said. "We all contribute to our community and nation. Together we can continue making a difference as we work, at all levels, to become a bias-free community."