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Aug 22nd, 2002 - 17:24:08 |
Douglas Calvin
PRESS RELEASE
Youth Leadership Support Network
Stop Hate, Inspire Neighborly Engagement /S.H.I.N.E
WHAT: Demonstration
For Immediate Release
WHEN: August 24, 10am -1pm
WHERE: Union Station Christopher Columbus Statue
March to Capitol Reflection Pool (facing the Mall)
Follow to neo -Nazi hate concert
Contact: Robin Chen Delos
(202) 299-1055 office
(703) 472-6985 cell
Neo-Nazis: Not In Our Nation’s Capital, Not In Our Neighborhoods
DC Area Youth Say No to Neo-Nazis, Anti-Semitism and Racism
Declare August 24th a Day of Unity and Tolerance
WASHINGTON, DC -- DC area youth will sponsor a counter protest and launch a regional youth education and prevention campaign to say, “neo-Nazis: not in our nation’s capital and not in our neighborhoods.” Area high school, junior high and college students organized, S.H.I.N.E., Stop Hate, Inspire Neighborly Engagement in response to increased hate incidents, neo-Nazi marches, and white supremacist recruiting efforts in the region. S.H.I.N.E. is a program of the Youth Leadership Support Network, a violence prevention arts media education and training network that works with DC area youth.
On August 24, just weeks before the September 11 terrorism anniversary, neo-Nazi group the National Alliance will sponsor the largest white supremacist rally in DC since the 1930s. It will take place on the Capitol Steps, followed by a hate concert that evening in an undisclosed location in Northern Virginia or Maryland.
“Neo-Nazis are using DC as a platform for hate. That’s not acceptable. It’s the moral responsibility of all people to stand against hate,” says Molly McArdle, 15-year-old Duke Ellington School of the Arts student and
S.H.I.N.E. co-founder.
“S.H.I.N.E promotes understanding and unity for all people by peacefully countering hate groups and declaring that the Metropolitan area is a hate free community,” says Miles Joyner, 13-year-old S.H.I.N.E. member of Bethesda. He adds, “S.H.I.N.E. stands against hate organizations through intercultural diversity. We promote the many positive contributions of young people who know that love is a better message than hate.”
“White power hate groups target young people to be new recruits primarily through music. S.H.I.N.E., a youth project, is here to say that teens don’t stand for it,” says Robin Chen Delos, 19-year-old resident of Fairfax County and co-founder of S.H.I.N.E. She adds, “When white power groups organize in a community the number of hate crimes increases. White power groups have been mobilizing in Fairfax County and they bragged about recruiting high school and college students.” Subsequently, hate crimes increased four-fold in Fairfax County, Virginia since September 11th. Similarly, hate crimes and incidents jumped 76 percent in Montgomery County, Maryland in 2001.
“Since September 11 the majority of hate violence and terrorism within this country have been committed against people of color and religious minorities by white racists. S.H.I.N.E. provides support for likely targets and potential recruits of hate organizations.” says Douglas Calvin, Executive Director of the Youth Leadership Support Network. “We must support our youth in promoting positive alternatives to hatred.”
Twenty-one year old Arielle Bielak of Northern Virginia states, “Virginia is for lovers, not for Nazis.”
* * *
Jul 26th, 2002 - 15:49:26 |
Douglas Calvin
DC has experienced five white power demonstrations in just over a year. (see pic from May 11 when 250 neo-nazis marched). These groups are recruiting and stepping up hate crimes and recruiting in the suburbs. At the same time, positive youth are stepping forward and many communities are engaging in inter-ethnic dialogues and support stemming from the Sept 11 attacks and rising bigotry and racism post Sept. 11.
SHINE was created on July 20th in DC, the same day as a white power cross burning took place not far away in Martinsville, VA. Led by DC area teens, SHINE's mission is to address white power organizing AND promote the many positive youth and community programs that embrace our communities -- one of the most diverse populations in the world.
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