OLD LYME — A peaceful march and rally for racial justice is planned for Saturday at 1 p.m. in Old Lyme.One of the organizers, Anna Reiter of Old Lyme, explained to LymeLine, “The goal of the march and rally is to allow the community to stand together against racial injustice and offer opportunities for community members to realize that microagressions are things that we can learn about and correct in our everyday lives.”Participants will start by meeting and lining up along the sidewalk in front of the Old Lyme Town Hall and then will proceed down Lyme Street to the lawn of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.Plans are still being developed but speakers will include Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Old Lyme Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal, Rev. Dr. Steve Jungkeit of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme and Human Rights Attorney David Rubino, who is also the Democratic candidate for the 23rd House seat in November’s election.
Following speeches, everyone will be guided into a moment of silence while kneeling down.
Reiter stressed, “We really want this to be a meaningful and powerful event for attendees.”
Bravo,
It is high time that Old Lyme acknowledged racism, both in the United States and in our own little white villa.What I, as a Jew, would like to know is when the leaders at the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme will tone down their own anti-Semitic leanings.The problem of Palestine and the Palestinians does need to be solved.However, boycotting Israel and painting all Jews with the broad brush of being insensitive to the plight of non-Jews in Israel and the occupied territories only fuels many souls anti-Semitism.
You certainly raise some difficult and uncomfortable issues. However, I am not personally aware of any “anti- semitic leanings” exhibited by the leaders of Old Lyme’s First Congregational Church; — not even a “whisper” to support your allegation. Nevertheless, I feel that the rally described above maintain its narrow focus; and perhaps your other issues require a different forum.
As a Jewish woman myself, I understand your reaction to anti-Zionism as somehow being anti-Semitic, partly due to the inherited trauma Jewish people grapple with as a legacy of our history but also, in large part, due to intentional propaganda campaigns that force Jews and Israel to be synonymous. It is a fact that the Israeli state is committing atrocities against Palestinian people. It is also a fact that many many Jewish people adamantly oppose these atrocities and the state that uses my name and the name of my ancestors to justify their intolerable behavior. I’m incredibly proud to be Jewish because my faith teaches me to protect and uplift those being oppressed. Never Again means Never Again for anyone, this applies to Palestinians, Black people, and all other oppressed minorities facing genocidal tactics in the name of white supremacy. Please consider that we are all on the same side in this fight. Talking Olam means repair injustice. Let’s do that together by standing up to those use our name for unjust acts
Above autocorrected Tikkun Olam to Talking Olam
Thank you very much for taking the time to bring some clarity to this complicated issue. Your review of the issue was both comprehensive and understandable.
Am sure the vast majority of Old Lyme residents will skip this event and that includes myself.
Like most residents I’m not quite sure what attending this rally is supposed to represent, does it mean i see brutality by Old Lyme’s policemen, does it mean I see racism in our community by elected officials or private citizens, I think not.
a novil approach would be to rally residents to express their thanks to our elected leaders, teachers and those who protect us during trying times of social unrest and the pandemic.
Comments expressed above indicate others are as confused as I as to the purpose of this rally.
I am proud to have participated in this rally that was attended by so many local citizens and community leaders. The time for silence has ended. We as a community need to come together to fight racism and racial injustice.
Well, it is good to see so many people actually paying attention!No Mr. Folland, I am not confused.Rather very clear headed, helped by the nice country air.I am simply suggesting that ALL forms of racial thought need to be addressed.Past rhetoric by those at the Congregational Church, both encouraging an economic/cultural boycott of Israel, and implying all residents of Israel approve of the view of the Palestinians held by members of the Likud Party, is very dangerous and plays in to the rise in anti-Semitism which we see today.
Growing up in town,I have always noted the crude racial views held by many, including those held by my late, legal father.This was a man who worked on George Wallace’s 1968 and 1972 presidential campaigns.He had many kindred spirits in town.I would hope that the enlightenment shown at the rally would rub off on others, especially all the young males who drive around town in big pickup trucks which have Confederate and Trump stickers on the windows.I can guarantee you that these chaps hold racist views.How do we reach these souls?How do we eradicate racist tendencies in white people in general?That is a discussion which needs to be had, and had now.