Rutherford, New Jersey is a small town situated between Route 17 and the eastern bank of the Passaic River. I have nothing but fond memories growing up there?before I served in the military. It was clean, safe, and walkable. Park Avenue?is a long stretch of road filled with a wide mix of stores and restaurants. It is also home to a small, but thriving, art community and also houses the main campus of Felician College. Alhough a small town, it is one that prides itself in its diversity. The town’s motto is “Where You Are Always Welcome” and everyday we welcome many visitors to work, shop, eat, and play from all over. We welcome new neighbors and treat them as old ones regardless of creed, color, age, gender identity, or orientation.
However, a certain unwelcome group of outside hooded hate mongers have reared their ugly head in a cowardly attempt to destroy the diversity of a great town. According to the Rutherford Police recruitment flyers from a KKK chapter were found on the driveways of residents. The fliers were stuffed in bags with pebbles to weigh them down. This was to keep the wind from blowing them away.
The flyers were from a Klan group known as the White Knights Of The Ku Klux Klan. NJ.com has confirmed that the fliers contained a web page and a phone number. Rutherford Police have also confirmed that when the number on the flyer was called their would be a voice recording inviting callers to join.? The message on the flyer read “without Christ there is no Christmas” and was signed “The Loyal White Knights of the KKK”. This message is rich coming from a group that prided itself in terrorizing non-protestant Christians for well over a century.
Lastly, I will say that just because the KKK has a right to propagate hatred doesn’t mean that citizens have to allow it. We can let groups like these know they are not welcome in our communities. I urge everyone in my hometown and all over America to take a stand against hate groups in our communities. We will only be heard if we speak out. For more info on how to stop the rise of hate groups in your communities or places of work check out One People’s Project and The Southern Poverty Law Center.
KKK, it will be a cold day in hell before you and your hate will ever be welcome in my hometown.
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David Christopher is a veteran, proud liberal, and a New Jersey native. He served as an Infantryman in the U.S. Army and is a PTS and MST survivor. David is a devout Episcopal, a feminist, sex positive, and a strong supporter of LGBT rights. The only strong hatreds he has are toward the Boston Red Sox, The New England Patriots, and The New York Rangers.
