Newton Activists Plan Solidarity Rally For Tuesday Night

NEWTON-- Local activists from grassroots organization Progressive Newton are planning a solidarity action for 5:00 p.m. today at the corner of Beacon and Walnut by the Whole Foods parking lot.

Bryan Barash, chapter leader for Progressive Newton, told Patch that the action was organized "so our members and anyone else who's interested can respond publicly with a message of inclusivity." The group is planning on holding signs that say "Hate has no home here" in several languages.

Nanci Ginty Butler is another event organizer, and a local parent. Butler told Patch that she is devastated and horrified by this weekend's events in Charlottesville, and the racist, and anti-Semitic sentiments of the people there.

She said, "As a parent and as a human, I feel compelled to stand up and make sure the world knows that love is stronger than hate, that this kind of hatred and violence will not be tolerated, and that there are far more of us who do not share their despicable beliefs. This isn’t a time for any of us to be complacent, and if standing in an intersection to help other Newtonites and my children know that this is a loving, accepting community, then I’m happy to do it."

The Facebook page for the event has over 180 people interested or going. City Council candidates Andreae Downs, Andrea Kelley, Nicole Castillo, write-in Ward 4 candidate Allison Sharma will be attending, along with Charter Review Commissioner Howard Haywood.