From: The Sandhills Coalition for Peace, Love & Justice
Contact: Barbara Rothbeind, Charles Oldham
A new coalition has been formed to respond to recent acts of racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia and intolerance in our community. The Sandhills Coalition for Peace, Love, and Justice has formed for the purpose of promoting fellowship among the people of Moore County. The ideology of hate demonstrated by the placement of banners over one of the main entranceways into Pinehurst and Southern Pines and the December attack on our electrical grid has stirred the group into action.
The Coalition for Peace, Love and Justice is spearheaded by a diverse group of community leaders. Barbara Rothbeind of the Sandhills Jewish Congregation, Charles Oldham of Sandhills Pride and O’Linda Watkins-McSurely of the Moore County NAACP are founding members along with members of other non-partisan faith and cultural organizations. Recognizing that silence can be construed as complicity, the Coalition members are calling on individuals, political, business and faith leaders to join with them and strongly condemn such acts of hatred.
On Dec. 18, the first day of Chanukah, an anti-Semitic, racist and homophobic banner was flown over U.S. Highway 1 in Vass and on Christmas morning, Dec. 25, another hateful message was flown over U.S. Highway 1 in Cameron. In July a white-supremacist banner appeared on that same bridge in Vass. As far back as July of 2015 racist graffiti was painted on three bridges over U.S. Highway 1 near Vass and Cameron.
An event entitled “Take Back the Bridge” is planned for Feb. 14 from 10 am to noon. It will take place near the NC-690/Lobelia Road Bridge over U.S. Highway 1 in Vass. The event will honor the Town of Vass for its courageous proclamation unequivocally denouncing hate in all forms. Local elected officials along with our state representatives have received invitations to stand alongside Moore County residents. All persons of good will are welcome to attend.
For further information or to join the coalition, please contact;
The Mission of the Sandhills Coalition for Peace, Love, and Justice is to act as a positive force against discrimination, intolerance and hatred of all kinds through education and action.
