HOWELL, Mich. (WLNS)— Folks throughout Mid-Michigan are rallying in opposition to racism and bigotry following a Nazi sighting earlier this month.
Stand In opposition to Extremism (SAGE) held an anti-white supremacy rally Saturday afternoon.
Meg Koenemann, a member of SAGE, and a resident of Fowlerville says the occasion is to counter in opposition to the group of individuals waving Nazi flags earlier this month.
“For that to make national news. That’s what got all these people here. We’re seeing new people that we’ve never seen before,” said Koenemann. “They’re coming from Washington County and Oakland County. I heard people say that they’re from Detroit, and Grand Rapids, and Lansing. All kinds of people are coming to support us in our mission to fight against this racism.”
She says this isn’t the primary time she’s handled bigotry inside her group.
“This is the fourth time, this year that I’ve personally have been protesting actual Nazis in this town in this calendar year,” said Koenemann. “Which is bananas.”
Anti-White Supremacy Rally (WLNS)
Many visitor audio system, together with the Mayor, Bob Ellis, expressed their considerations about ignorance inside Howell.
“We do not wish to be often called a racist or illiberal group,” stated Ellis.
He says hate has no place there.
“We actually wish to be often called a welcoming and inclusive group and every time these individuals come out it units us again ten years,” stated Ellis.
Karen Pfau, a protestor who not too long ago moved to Howell, from California says when she heard about Nazis in her city, she was appalled.
“I have black children. I have a black granddaughter,” said Pfau. “This strikes very close to home for me. This is not what our country is about.”
She says she’s in opposition to racial intolerance.
“There should be no discrimination,” said Pfau. “People should be judged on their character, not on the color of their skin. The end.”
Bob Ellis says to fight Nazi ideologies, town goes to rent a Public Relations agency to counter hate-filled messages which have riddled their group.
