A Queens unity group is holding a unity rally in Forest Hills on Sept. 9 to bring people together after the horrific acts in Charlottesville, VA, earlier in August when protests over the removal of a Confederate statue turned violent.
The Queens Solidarity Coalition, which was formed earlier this year in response to actions put forth by President Donald Trump, will again host the Queens Stands Together Rally at MacDonald Park in Forest Hills in an attempt to show that Queens remains united even in the face of racial and religious tension across the nation.
“After [the] tragic and heartbreaking events in Charlottesville we as a community must and will respond with strength and solidarity,” said Ethan Felder, co-founder of the Queens Solidarity Coalition, in an email. “We as a community must and will respond with strength and solidarity.”
Organizations joining the Queens Solidarity Coalition in co-sponsoring the rally include:
- Council on Islamic-American Relations NY Chapter
- Forest Hills Asian Association
- Jamaica Muslim Center
- John Brown Party
- Long Island City Coalition
- Muslims for Progress
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – Jamaica Branch
- New Queens Democrats
- NO IDC NY
- Sadhana: A Coalition of Progressive Hindus
- South Asian Fund for Education Scholarship and Training
- Sunnyside-Woodside Action Group (SWAG)
- The Reform Temple of Forest Hills
- Turning Point for Women and Families
- Urban Agenda Group
- Veterans for Peace
- Women for Afghan Women
“The people are sending the message that our values are not going to change,” Felder said. “We are who we are, and we are proud of who we are in a time when the foundational values of Queens and the country are being tested. This is the people’s way of saying publicly that our values are not going to change.”
The Queens Solidarity Coalition held a unity rally in February that drew hundreds of residents and a mass of elected officials to speak out against Trump’s policies.
This rally will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at MacDonald Park, located on Queens Boulevard between Yellowstone Boulevard and 70th Road. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
