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performative effort to value everyone who lives, works, and visits here. The city of Lakewood must renounce the <br /> terrorism in Georgia and Colorado. It must renounce anti-Semitism as the brother of racism and systematically <br /> change for a better, more equitable Lakewood welcoming everyone. <br /> Mary Brown <br /> Location: <br /> Submitted At: 5:52pm 12-05-22 <br /> Recent acts of egression around the nation, some of which could be classified as <br /> domestic terrorism, against the LGBTQ+ community including threats by the Proud Boys in Columbus in <br /> opposition of a Holi-Drag Storytime, the destruction of power substations in North Carolina that have been <br /> rumored to be linked to a group protesting a local Drag event, and the horrific shooting at Club Q in Colorado <br /> Springs are just a few examples of the increasing threat of violent ideologies highlighted in the Department of <br /> Homeland Security's recently released Terrorism Advisory Bulletin. Concerns of threats to LGBTQ, Jewish, <br /> migrant communities, the BIPOC community, and other marginalized groups, many of which call our community <br /> home, cannot go unaddressed by the nation as a whole. It behooves each and every one of us who believe that <br /> all members of our national community should feel safe, to make it clear that we are united in opposition of these <br /> heinous acts by violent extremists. I request that a public statement be released by our city leadership (and <br /> hopefully the leadership of cities across our nation) clearly stating that our community condemns the acts of <br /> violent white supremacists and other hate groups and that our city is committed to protecting those targeted by <br /> these hate-driven ideologies. Let us lead the nation in taking a stand against these destructive entities and be <br /> leaders in this call to action. <br /> Rosalyn Matthews <br /> Location: <br /> Submitted At: 5:OOpm 12-05-22 <br /> On December 3, in Columbus, Ohio, a Drag Story-time was cancelled due to a planned protest by the Ohio <br /> Chapter of the Proud Boys and other related fascist white supremacist groups. Due to the City's refusal to provide <br /> adequate police support during the event, the organizers decided to cancel the event in the abundance of <br /> caution. Even though the event was canceled the white supremacist protesters proceeded to march through the <br /> neighborhoods in full camo and carrying automatic weapons to terrorize the nearby neighbors. This hateful and <br /> terroristic behavior is just part of the recent surge in violence and intimidation against the LGBTQ+ community. <br /> The threat is not limited to the LGBTQ+ community as the uptick of violence and intimidation has also been seen <br /> against the Jewish, migrant, and other communities of color. <br /> During this time, we need our elected officials to take a stand against fascism and white supremacy. We need <br /> assurances that our Lakewood police will be there and ready to protect targeted communities. Our leaders need <br /> to make it abundantly clear that our community will not tolerate bigotry, hatred and terrorist tactics. <br /> Jon Gromek <br /> Location: <br /> Submitted At: 2:49pm 12-05-22 <br /> This past weekend, armed fascist white supremacists terrorized a Columbus, OH neighborhood because a <br /> church was hosting a "Holi-Drag Storytime", sponsored by a local community school district. This is a part of a <br /> surge in threats and violence directed at members of the LGBTQ community, including the recent shooting that <br /> killed five and wounded 17 in an attack on Club Q, a gay bar in Colorado Springs, CO. <br /> Lakewood has always identified itself as a welcoming and affirming community where diversity is valued and <br /> championed. Right now, those values we claim to hold dear as a community are under threat, with the <br /> Department of Homeland Security recently issuing a warning that domestic terrorists are specifically targeting <br /> and threatening LGTBQ, Jewish and migrant communities, all of whom are call Lakewood home. <br /> Hate and violence don't have to happen within our community for it to warrant a response. Right now those <br /> targeted communities need to hear from leaders in Lakewood that hate has no home here and that we will do <br /> everything in our power to protect our neighbors from the violence and hate of white supremacists and facists. <br /> Those who would consider such heinous acts and use deplorable rhetoric must know where we stand as a city. <br /> I'm calling on our city leaders to denouce these and other recent actions and motivations in the most clearest of <br /> terms and to pledge to use all our resources to protect our neighbors from hate and violence perpetuated by <br /> white supremacist, facists and other hate groups. <br />