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Pallone and Religious Leaders Speak Out Against Hate and Racism

August 17, 2017

Long Branch, NJ- Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), local officials and religious leaders stood in solidarity against the hate, racism, and violence that took place in Charlottesville, VA last weekend. Congressman Pallone has spoken out against the white supremacist demonstrations in Charlottesville, criticized the unwillingness of President Trump to do the same, and called for those sympathetic to white nationalism in the White House to be fired.

“These events in Charlottesville events took place because racism and xenophobia have once again taken hold of our national discourse – based upon fear, not love, not empathy, not kindness for our fellow man.,” said Pallone. “The President shares responsibility for the emboldening of these radical and violent entities. I was proud to see business owners, politicians, and community and faith leaders from so many different religions, socio-economic backgrounds, and political philosophies condemn what we all saw. We are stronger because of our diversity as a nation, and we cannot let this president or these awful movements take our country backwards.”

Those denouncing white nationalist groups and expressing the need for New Jersey communities to rally together against hate were Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, Reverend Richard Romero- St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Adam Schneider- Mayor Long Branch, Rabbi Nasanayl Braun- Congregation Brothers of Israel, Pat Brannigan- Executive Director of the Catholic Conference of NJ, Reverend Dr. Robert Prescott-Ezickson-First Baptist Church of Long Branch, John Pallone- Long Branch City Council, Bill Dangler- Long Branch NAACP President , Father Javier Diaz- Christ the King Church Long Branch, Christine Rockwell-Woodlaw- Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Reverend Sue Manchek , Jim Sues- CAIR, Council on American-Islamic Relations , Reverend Lesly Devereaux- Trinity AME Long Branch, Alieu Nyassi- Monmouth Medical Center Director of Diversity, Caroline Bennett- Long Branch Board of Education and Elder at Second Baptist Long Branch, Pastor Matt Cimorelli- Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Pastor Tony Moss- Long Branch Covenant Church, Joy Vastelli- Long Branch Councilwoman, Michael Sirianni- Long Branch Councilman and Avery Grant- Long Branch Board of Education.

“Hate groups such as the KKK and those who use Nazi iconography and hateful language have no place in our country, let alone in the 11th Legislative District,” said Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). “Assemblywoman Joann Downey (D-Monmouth) and I are proud to represent incredibly diverse communities with people from all walks of life. Diversity makes our country strong, and it is something we should celebrate, just as we do in New Jersey and right here in Monmouth County.”

“On Tuesday our President called those who marched arm in arm with Nazi’s and white supremacists ‘very fine people,’” said James Sues, Executive Director of CAIR New Jersey. “By his outright endorsement of this movement by these comments, President Trump has gone further to embolden and empower these purveyors of hate than any of their own rhetoric could have.”