What is city council doing to protect LGBTQ+ individuals in this community? The amount of negatives comments seen in relation to drag shows in community groups has always been concerning, and even more so now that there’s an actual domestic terror warning for the queer community. We’re always so quick to say that Lakewood is incredibly accepting of all, but that’s simply not the case. Hatred lives here too and saying nothing isn’t helping anyone.
The most recent attacks in the Jewish and LBGTQIA+ community merits public condemnation from city leaders to renounce white nationalism and all its forms and state intentions towards greater understanding. We have seen this kind of domestic terrorism in our city, and we have seen this terrorism excused by public officials before. Enough is enough.
If Lakewood strives to truly be a diverse place of people, then people in city government must go beyond a performative effort to value everyone who lives, works, and visits here. The city of Lakewood must renounce the terrorism in Georgia and Colorado. It must renounce anti-Semitism as the brother of racism and systematically change for a better, more equitable Lakewood welcoming everyone.
Recent acts of agression around the nation, some of which could be classified as
domestic terrorism, against the LGBTQ+ community including threats by the Proud Boys in Columbus in opposition of a Holi-Drag Storytime, the destruction of power substations in North Carolina that have been rumored to be linked to a group protesting a local Drag event, and the horrific shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs are just a few examples of the increasing threat of violent ideologies highlighted in the Department of Homeland Security's recently released Terrorism Advisory Bulletin. Concerns of threats to LGBTQ, Jewish, migrant communities, the BIPOC community, and other marginalized groups, many of which call our community home, cannot go unaddressed by the nation as a whole. It behooves each and every one of us who believe that all members of our national community should feel safe, to make it clear that we are united in opposition of these heinous acts by violent extremists. I request that a public statement be released by our city leadership (and hopefully the leadership of cities across our nation) clearly stating that our community condemns the acts of violent white supremacists and other hate groups and that our city is committed to protecting those targeted by these hate-driven ideologies. Let us lead the nation in taking a stand against these destructive entities and be leaders in this call to action.
On December 3, in Columbus, Ohio, a Drag Story-time was cancelled due to a planned protest by the Ohio Chapter of the Proud Boys and other related fascist white supremacist groups. Due to the City's refusal to provide adequate police support during the event, the organizers decided to cancel the event in the abundance of caution. Even though the event was canceled the white supremacist protesters proceeded to march through the neighborhoods in full camo and carrying automatic weapons to terrorize the nearby neighbors. This hateful and terroristic behavior is just part of the recent surge in violence and intimidation against the LGBTQ+ community. The threat is not limited to the LGBTQ+ community as the uptick of violence and intimidation has also been seen against the Jewish, migrant, and other communities of color.
During this time, we need our elected officials to take a stand against fascism and white supremacy. We need assurances that our Lakewood police will be there and ready to protect targeted communities. Our leaders need to make it abundantly clear that our community will not tolerate bigotry, hatred and terrorist tactics.
This past weekend, armed fascist white supremacists terrorized a Columbus, OH neighborhood because a church was hosting a "Holi-Drag Storytime", sponsored by a local community school district. This is a part of a surge in threats and violence directed at members of the LGBTQ community, including the recent shooting that killed five and wounded 17 in an attack on Club Q, a gay bar in Colorado Springs, CO.
Lakewood has always identified itself as a welcoming and affirming community where diversity is valued and championed. Right now, those values we claim to hold dear as a community are under threat, with the Department of Homeland Security recently issuing a warning that domestic terrorists are specifically targeting and threatening LGTBQ, Jewish and migrant communities, all of whom are call Lakewood home.
Hate and violence don't have to happen within our community for it to warrant a response. Right now those targeted communities need to hear from leaders in Lakewood that hate has no home here and that we will do everything in our power to protect our neighbors from the violence and hate of white supremacists and facists. Those who would consider such heinous acts and use deplorable rhetoric must know where we stand as a city. I'm calling on our city leaders to denouce these and other recent actions and motivations in the most clearest of terms and to pledge to use all our resources to protect our neighbors from hate and violence perpetuated by white supremacist, facists and other hate groups.
This past Saturday, December 3, a Drag Story-time was cancelled due to threats of a protest by the Ohio Chapter of the Proud Boys. Despite the event's cancellation, the Proud Boys made an appearance in the nearby neighborhood. The event was ultimately cancelled due to a lack of police support. Columbus City Council has put out a statement condemning the extremist group prior to the Saturday's planned event.
Later that evening, in a different state, an act of 'vandalism' (what the media is reporting and stating but I and others are naming it for what it was, terrorism), caused an electrical disruption to 40,000 residents in Moore County, North Carolina. Why the disruption? This was after threats had been made directed at an 18+ Drag Show event.
I am saddened at the lack of public condemnation of both of these acts of terrorism and I am imploring City Council to strongly condemn bigotry and hatred and call out white supremacy for what it is.
DHS has issued a warning that domestic terror is a threat to LGTBQ, Jewish and migrant communities - all of which encompass within and call Lakewood home. What is Lakewood doing to protect these populations (as well as it's BIPOC community), from being targets of domestic terrorism at the hands of extremists?
Ignoring subtle 'ques' of prejudice, biogotry, hatred and acts of racism is what elevates white supremacy. Being afraid to name it is a problem. It is far time to name it and call it out for what it is.
What is city council doing to protect LGBTQ+ individuals in this community? The amount of negatives comments seen in relation to drag shows in community groups has always been concerning, and even more so now that there’s an actual domestic terror warning for the queer community. We’re always so quick to say that Lakewood is incredibly accepting of all, but that’s simply not the case. Hatred lives here too and saying nothing isn’t helping anyone.
The most recent attacks in the Jewish and LBGTQIA+ community merits public condemnation from city leaders to renounce white nationalism and all its forms and state intentions towards greater understanding. We have seen this kind of domestic terrorism in our city, and we have seen this terrorism excused by public officials before. Enough is enough.
If Lakewood strives to truly be a diverse place of people, then people in city government must go beyond a performative effort to value everyone who lives, works, and visits here. The city of Lakewood must renounce the terrorism in Georgia and Colorado. It must renounce anti-Semitism as the brother of racism and systematically change for a better, more equitable Lakewood welcoming everyone.
Recent acts of agression around the nation, some of which could be classified as
domestic terrorism, against the LGBTQ+ community including threats by the Proud Boys in Columbus in opposition of a Holi-Drag Storytime, the destruction of power substations in North Carolina that have been rumored to be linked to a group protesting a local Drag event, and the horrific shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs are just a few examples of the increasing threat of violent ideologies highlighted in the Department of Homeland Security's recently released Terrorism Advisory Bulletin. Concerns of threats to LGBTQ, Jewish, migrant communities, the BIPOC community, and other marginalized groups, many of which call our community home, cannot go unaddressed by the nation as a whole. It behooves each and every one of us who believe that all members of our national community should feel safe, to make it clear that we are united in opposition of these heinous acts by violent extremists. I request that a public statement be released by our city leadership (and hopefully the leadership of cities across our nation) clearly stating that our community condemns the acts of violent white supremacists and other hate groups and that our city is committed to protecting those targeted by these hate-driven ideologies. Let us lead the nation in taking a stand against these destructive entities and be leaders in this call to action.
On December 3, in Columbus, Ohio, a Drag Story-time was cancelled due to a planned protest by the Ohio Chapter of the Proud Boys and other related fascist white supremacist groups. Due to the City's refusal to provide adequate police support during the event, the organizers decided to cancel the event in the abundance of caution. Even though the event was canceled the white supremacist protesters proceeded to march through the neighborhoods in full camo and carrying automatic weapons to terrorize the nearby neighbors. This hateful and terroristic behavior is just part of the recent surge in violence and intimidation against the LGBTQ+ community. The threat is not limited to the LGBTQ+ community as the uptick of violence and intimidation has also been seen against the Jewish, migrant, and other communities of color.
During this time, we need our elected officials to take a stand against fascism and white supremacy. We need assurances that our Lakewood police will be there and ready to protect targeted communities. Our leaders need to make it abundantly clear that our community will not tolerate bigotry, hatred and terrorist tactics.
This past weekend, armed fascist white supremacists terrorized a Columbus, OH neighborhood because a church was hosting a "Holi-Drag Storytime", sponsored by a local community school district. This is a part of a surge in threats and violence directed at members of the LGBTQ community, including the recent shooting that killed five and wounded 17 in an attack on Club Q, a gay bar in Colorado Springs, CO.
Lakewood has always identified itself as a welcoming and affirming community where diversity is valued and championed. Right now, those values we claim to hold dear as a community are under threat, with the Department of Homeland Security recently issuing a warning that domestic terrorists are specifically targeting and threatening LGTBQ, Jewish and migrant communities, all of whom are call Lakewood home.
Hate and violence don't have to happen within our community for it to warrant a response. Right now those targeted communities need to hear from leaders in Lakewood that hate has no home here and that we will do everything in our power to protect our neighbors from the violence and hate of white supremacists and facists. Those who would consider such heinous acts and use deplorable rhetoric must know where we stand as a city. I'm calling on our city leaders to denouce these and other recent actions and motivations in the most clearest of terms and to pledge to use all our resources to protect our neighbors from hate and violence perpetuated by white supremacist, facists and other hate groups.
This past Saturday, December 3, a Drag Story-time was cancelled due to threats of a protest by the Ohio Chapter of the Proud Boys. Despite the event's cancellation, the Proud Boys made an appearance in the nearby neighborhood. The event was ultimately cancelled due to a lack of police support. Columbus City Council has put out a statement condemning the extremist group prior to the Saturday's planned event.
Later that evening, in a different state, an act of 'vandalism' (what the media is reporting and stating but I and others are naming it for what it was, terrorism), caused an electrical disruption to 40,000 residents in Moore County, North Carolina. Why the disruption? This was after threats had been made directed at an 18+ Drag Show event.
I am saddened at the lack of public condemnation of both of these acts of terrorism and I am imploring City Council to strongly condemn bigotry and hatred and call out white supremacy for what it is.
DHS has issued a warning that domestic terror is a threat to LGTBQ, Jewish and migrant communities - all of which encompass within and call Lakewood home. What is Lakewood doing to protect these populations (as well as it's BIPOC community), from being targets of domestic terrorism at the hands of extremists?
Ignoring subtle 'ques' of prejudice, biogotry, hatred and acts of racism is what elevates white supremacy. Being afraid to name it is a problem. It is far time to name it and call it out for what it is.