LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Town agrees to join United Against Hate Week movement


Moraga's posters and banners will look similar to this Image provided

The United Against Hate movement took root during 2017, after various extremists began protesting in Berkeley, Calif.; and the tragic incident in Charlottesville, Va., where a man willfully drove his car into a group of people peacefully protesting a Unite the Right rally, killing one and injuring 35.

In 2018, Not In Our Town, a national anti-hate organization based in Oakland, Calif., joined the effort to spread the message through communities, local organizations, elected officials and faith groups.

The first United Against Hate Week was held Nov. 17-23, 2019. Each involved community hosted events such as workshops, rallies, guest speakers, film screenings, art projects and more.

Moraga's town council established a Diversity and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee in January 2020, with Mayor Mike McCluer and Council Member Renata Sos as the representatives. One of the council's 2021 goals was to "contribute to the community effort to improve diversity and inclusion throughout the town."

McCluer and Sos have provided updates from their activities with the Moraga Not In Our Town Community Coalition by: "attending community and organizational meetings; providing comments on and input into the drafting of a community Mission/Values Statement; doing outreach to community organizations to encourage their participation in the Mission/Values Statement drafting process; liaising with members of the Not In Our Town steering committee; and attending topical workshops and training sessions."

Three of the most recent Bay Area advocates to join the movement are Marin County, Albany Unified School District and the city of San Pablo. During Moraga's Sept. 22 council meeting, Sos stated that she and the mayor are proposing participating in this year's event but expect to leverage the existing energy and resources of community groups.

The council unanimously agreed to support the United Against Hate Week slated for Nov. 14-21, with the hope that it will be an annual event. Free posters (Moraga Stands Against Hate) will be available to community organizations, businesses and residents. Temporary banners will be displayed at approved locations, in addition to promoting the message on platforms such as the electronic sign across from Moraga Commons Park, About Town, Moraga's website, and on social media.

According to Town Manager Cynthia Battenberg, there should be no expense incurred by the town as businesses are stepping up to the plate and offering free services.