[Summit] SNA Statement on 2/21 incident on Camp Street

[Sharon Lee Waldman]

Summit Neighborhood Association Statement on The February 21st Camp Street
Incident

The Summit Neighborhood Association is extremely concerned and disturbed by
the evening incident this past Monday, February 21st, by the neo-Nazi
assault on the book reading at the Red Ink Library on Camp Street. We are
appalled that such hatred would be on flagrant display in our community.
Our Board condemns these far-right activities in the strongest possible
terms, and commends the Red Ink community for staying calm and resilient in
the face of scare tactics.

We hope that this moment can serve as a reminder that oppression and
intimidation are still a very tangible reality for marginalized groups in
our city neighborhoods. Our community consists of many different cultures
that have historically been in harm's way by this same hate and rhetoric.
This display was a clear attempt to use fear to silence marginalized
voices, and it cannot go unanswered. We must not tolerate any displays of
fascism, racism, anti-semitism, and white supremacy.

We call on the Providence Police Department to conduct a thorough
investigation, and for political leaders to support victims by taking a
bold stance against fascism. We also call on every resident of Providence
to reflect on this event, to ensure that we, as individuals, are doing
everything that we can to eliminate social and economic barriers, educate
ourselves further on historical inequities and violence, and endeavor to
build a stronger community on the principles of equality, equity, and
respect.

We stand in solidarity with the Stop The Hate rally at Billy Taylor Park
today. We also caution everyone to stay safe and to not engage with these
well-documented neo-Nazis.


We believe that we can come together to prevail as a community, and make it
clear to these hate groups that they will find no standing or purchase in
Providence.
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