Damminger: Hate will not be tolerated in Gloucester County
Statement from Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger
On behalf of the entire Board of Chosen Freeholders, I want to assure each and every resident that hate of any type will not be tolerated or accepted in Gloucester County.
The events that took place in Charlottesville this past weekend, and the acceptance and defense of those events by so many, including the president, is more than disturbing — it is deplorable.
Hatred and terrorism divides and corrodes our society and it is unthinkable in this day and age we still see racism and hate, but sadly we have seen both and we cannot ignore it. It is our job as elected officials, parents and human beings to speak up and speak out and defy hate. It is our job to make sure that our neighbors know they live in a safe and accepting community regardless of the color of their skin, ethnicity, the God to whom they pray or who they love.
Most importantly, it is our job to know our children are watching and the next step is up to us. Silence is equal to complicity and that not acceptable. We must stand together in unity to speak out against racism, denounce groups that hate, and show respect, equality, love, compassion, tolerance and kindness will help to heal and move our nation in the right direction.