LEWISBURG – Hundreds of people descended on Hufnagle Park in Lewisburg Tuesday evening to demonstrate unity through diversity. The annual ‘Stop the Hate’ rally included speeches, music, and art. The crowd heard from many of the Valley’s community, government, and academic leaders who spoke of the theme, stopping hate now.
Community activist Steva Stowell-Hardcastle, “Whether its racism, homophobia, misogyny, xenophobia, transphobia, religious intolerance, or other bias, we demand to live in a country where we’re safe. Where were safe to love who we want to love, be who we want to be and believe what we want to believe.”
From influential members of the community like Bucknell President John Bravman and Lewisburg Mayor Judy Wagner, to students like Joelle Andres-Beck and Huthaifa Aladwan, the congregation in attendance was treated to stirring affirmations of “Stop the Hate.”
Mayor Wagner, “The people who were here this evening give me hope. They make me sad. They make me happy. They make me think, and I’m so happy that the resources that we have in our community are working toward peaceful solutions.”
Rabbi Nina H Mandel delivered a speech that included the phrase “We will not be comforted while our elected officials offer prayers instead of legislation to stop it.” Over 300 people were involved in the rally, many of whom were Bucknell students who started their attendance on-campus, and they marched several blocks to Hufnagle Park. (Chris Elio)
