A crowd of more than 150 people assembled on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn to participate in the rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
photography by RODNEY MARGISON
Bloomington United sponsored “We Are Stronger Than Hate: An Evening of Solidarity” on the lawn of the Monroe County Courthouse Tuesday evening, August 27, 2019.
More than 150 people participated in the rally, which featured speakers from several community organizations that support local diversity.
Singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer and her husband, Robert Meitus, performed to both start and end the rally. Speakers included Rabbi Sue Silberberg, Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Jim Sims, the Rev. Bill Vance Jr., Yolanda Treviño, Brother Yusaf Ahmed, Julie Thomas, Lee Jones, Penny Githens, Mayor John Hamilton, and Doug Bauder.
The rally was in response to the recent activities at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market in which owners of one of the participating farms are accused of being white supremacists.
Bloomington United “No Hate” signs were posted all over the courthouse lawn. Photo by Rodney Margison
(l-r) Melanie Castillo-Cullather, director of the Indiana University Asian Culture Center, and Eli Ziff assemble yard signs for rally participants to take with them. Photo by Rodney Margison
Carrie Newcomer and her husband, Robert Meitus, perform “I Heard an Owl” at the opening of the anti-hate rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
Rabbi Sue Silberberg, Bloomington United co-chair and executive director of the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, was the first speaker at the rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
Bloomington United’s “No Hate” yard signs were as prominent as the flowers on the lawn of the Monroe County Courthouse. Photo by Rodney Margison
Greg Haas of Bloomington listens to the speakers. Photo by Rodney Margison
Volunteers listen as they attempt to diffuse an unidentified protester who walked through the rally crowd shouting in support of President Trump. Photo by Rodney Margison
Indiana University Asian Culture Center Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather addresses the crowd. Photo by Rodney Margison
Jim Sims, immediate past president of the Monroe County NAACP and at-large member of the Bloomington Common Council. Photo by Rodney Margison
A crowd of more than 150 people assembled on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn to participate in the rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
The Rev. Bill Vance Jr., president of the Monroe County NAACP. Photo by Rodney Margison
(l-r) Bloomington First Christian Church members Jean Thompson and Sandra Bate sit among the yard signs as they watch the rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
Yolanda Treviño, assistant vice president of strategy, planning and assessment with the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs at Indiana University. Photo by Rodney Margison
Spectators shield their eyes from the evening sun while watching the speakers during the rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
Some rally participants used the Civil War monument as a place to sit while listening to the speakers. Photo by Rodney Margison
Brother Yusuf Ahmed speaks to rally participants. Ahmed is with the Islamic Center of Bloomington. Photo by Rodney Margison
Spectators filled the courthouse lawn in a show of solidarity against hate. Photo by Rodney Margison
Kait Stevens uses a “No Hate” sign to block the sun, but not her view of the rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
(l-r) Julie Thomas, president of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, and fellow County Commissioners Lee Jones and Penny Githens each spoke at the rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton addresses the crowd on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn. Photo by Rodney Margison
Kait Stevens, of Bloomington, uses a “No Hate” sign to block the sun, but not her view of the rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
Bloomington United co-chair and director of the Indiana University LGBTQ+ Center, Doug Bauder, speaks during the no-hate rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
Sandra Sanchez picks up a few “No Hate” yard signs to take with her. Photo by Rodney Margison
Carrie Newcomer and her husband, Robert Meitus, perform “If Not Now” at the conclusion of the rally. Photo by Rodney Margison
Volunteers handed out “No Hate” yard signs to anyone who wanted some. Photo by Rodney Margison
