We had a very successful Unite Against Hate manifestation at St. Andrews Church to protest the white supremicists, neo-Nazis, and KKK recently spewing racism, anti-Semitism, and hate in Charlottesville, VA, and in favor of inclusiveness, diversity, and tolerance. The event on Saturday afternoon 26 August coincided with similar events in Stockholm and Malmö. It was our first event in conjunction with St. Andrews Church and we expect it won't be the last. We had 53 people in attendance including many we hadn't met before.

Photo credit: Bill Collier. Pictures below: Rick Wicks

Our chapter chair Kim MacKay led the event, with Rev. David Bruce, church pastor, speaking movingly in introduction (see pictures below). Jacques Labouchere on guitar and Alex Sharp Cole on piano each (and sometimes together) provided lovely and moving music. Actor Brian Coughlin read excerpts from Plato's Republic in which Socrates described the nature of tyranny and how it can arise even in a functioning democracy. Benjamin Gerber tied those ancient words together with lessons from the ancient Jewish tradition. We ended with a minute of silence for the victims of attacks in Charlottesville and for the countless other current victims of similar acts around the world.

Rev. David Bruce welcoming for St. Andrew's Church

Jacques Labouchere with Michael Czarnecki, chair Kim MacKay, Bill Collier, and Benjamin Gerber

Jacques and participants

Brian Coughlin reading Socrates on tyranny from Plato's Republic

Benjamin Gerber speaking on ancient Jewish tradition and how we deal with crazy times

Alex Sharp Cole providing lovely and moving closing music

More pictures courtesy of Mike Czarnecki

#DAresists #ResistanceSummer