Love Your Neighbor - Orange Ribbon Campaign

"Love Your Neighbor - Orange Ribbon Campaign" takes off in Purcellville; an effort to fight recent hate messages with love and unity.

PURCELLVILLE, Va. - Feb. 4, 2018 - In response to recent messages from hate groups delivered to homes in the area, a grass-roots movement to respond is underway. "Love Your Neighbor - Orange Ribbon Campaign" has begun distributing orange ribbons throughout Purcellville and beyond with the message: "We as a community display this orange ribbon, a sign of love and unity, in response to expressions of hate and bigotry."

To help spread awareness, organizers are asking residents, places of worship and local businesses to tie the ribbon prominently on their door or mailbox. Additionally, neighbors are wearing an orange ribbon attached to their clothing. The goal is to show support for the targets of recent threatening literature and also to kick-start consciousness by acknowledging that the threats target our whole community, not just racial or religious minorities.

"By its very nature, our mission includes all political parties, religions and races," says LeAnne McNamara, member of the movement. She believes that if we remain silent in the face of such messages, we become complicit in their acceptance.

The orange ribbon group intends to engage with local leaders to spread their message and is asking everyone in the community to join the effort. Future plans call for community events and outreach to civic organizations in order to continue the conversation and learn from neighbors.

A Facebook page has been started - "Love Your Neighbor - Orange Ribbon Campaign."