Alabama activists stand up against United Klans of America

Civil rights activists gathered on June 23 in Anniston, AL to speak out against threatening flyers distributed to the local community by the United Klans of America (UKA), according to ABC3340 News [1].

The UKA left two different flyers on driveways across Calhoun County on Father’s Day, one of which said, “Neighborhood Watch—You can sleep well tonight knowing the United Klans of America are awake.” The other listed 10 goals of the UKA, including the “ending of homosexuality, and putting a stop to interracial relationships.”

The rally emphasized peace, love, and non-violent action. Anniston council member Seyram Selase spoke out at the rally, saying that communities as a whole are responsible for teaching respect and responsibility. He was one of many people, including city council members and college students, who took a stand against the UKA’s message.

“It starts with education,” Selase said. “We have to educate our children to not grow up in a society where they are producing hate.”

At the rally, County Commissioner Fred Wilson read a proclamation that asked flyers distributors to cease and desist. Later that evening, the Anniston City Council passed a cease and resist resolution.

"We need to teach our children to reproduce righteousness instead of hate," Selase said.

Click here for the full article. [1]

Anti-Semitic hate crime hits close to home for Hasidic community

Bloomingburg, NY residents gathered at a Hasidic housing and private school development on June 27 after its windows were shattered numerous times, according to the Times-Herald Record [2].

Protesters came together to stand up against the hate crime, holding signs that read “Stop the Hate,” and references to Kristallnacht, the anti-Jewish riots that occurred in 1938 Nazi Germany [3]. The effort was meant to show the community that acts of hate would not be tolerated. Community members walked by the buildings to take pictures and show their support throughout the day.

The windows of three of these commercial buildings were shattered four times in one week. Developer Shalom Lamm called the act of violence a hate crime against the Hasidic community. The project itself sparked controversy in the Bloomingburg community, which may have led to the attacks.

“Our response to obstacles will be perseverance,” Lamm said. “Our response to hatred will be love.”

Click here for the full article. [2] 

Changing a negative into a positive: Erin Davies' Fagbug

After waking up to find the words “Fag” and “U R Gay” spraypainted on her Volkswagen Beetle, Erin Davies decided to share her story.

Rather than immediately washing away the hateful words, Davies drove her vandalized car through 41 states and interviewed more than 500 people to show people what a hate crime really looks like, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader [4]. Davies documented her experience and dropped out of school to edit her film.

The documentary, Fagbug, was released in 2009. After its release, her car received a makeover, covering it in rainbow stripes and writing “fagbug” on the side. She and her “fagbug” participated in Lexington, KY’s seventh annual Pride Festival on June 25.

Since 2009, Davies has driven her car to high schools, universities, Pride parades, and festivals across the country to not only promote her film, but to listen to other peoples’ stories of intolerance.

"A lot of people can relate to that concept of turning something negative and making it into something positive," Davies told the Herald-Leader. “So many people have stories like this. Until that stops happening, we have to keep talking about it.”

Click here to read more about  [4]Fagbug [4].