GREENFIELD — There was one reason Susan Demattos said she chose to show up and hold signs condemning bigotry on the Greenfield Common: “Love.”
Her statement was echoed by the roughly 20 people who attended a vigil on the Common Saturday morning led by the local anti-racism group Racial Justice Rising.
The group frequently holds vigils on the Common, holding signs expressing pro-diversity messages. But Saturday — just over a week since 50 prayer-going Muslims lost their lives and 50 more were injured in a white supremacist attack in New Zealand — the group focused on standing against Islamophobia.
“I came here as a witness to racism,” said Scott Reed. “Today, we’re focusing on the massacre in New Zealand.”
Reed said passers-by responded positively — people waved and honked horns as they drove by the gathering.
The gatherers held signs reading, “Muslims welcome here,” and “Racism harms everyone.”
“I care about the world,” said Suzanne Carlson, holding a sign that read, “Stand together against the violence of white supremacy.”
“I can’t stand this religious hatred,” she said.
Carlson said the point is not so much to attack those who do wrong, but to show support for the victims of Islamophobia and bigotry.
The New Zealand attack happened on March 15, when a shooter entered two mosques in Christchurch, where he fired at worshippers.
A 28-year-old man, BrentonTarrant, from Australia, has been arrested and charged with murder in relation to the attack.
“I was shocked this would happen,” said Con Trowbridge of the New Zealand attack.
Trowbridge pointed out the hypocrisy of the bigoted attacker being a foreigner himself, from Australia.
She said she has been pleased to see the outpouring of support for the Muslim community in New Zealand, but added that it’s also the job of people across the world in Franklin County to fight white supremacy.
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.