UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 21, Page 1
February 25, 1993
Harmony to be the focus of Saturday afternoon's rally
Putting unity into community is the theme of the Rally for Diversity,
Community and Harmony, from 2:30-4:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27, at Newark
High School.
Sponsored by the Newark Unity Coalition, the rally, designed for all
ages, will have entertainment, children's activities, as well as messages
to inspire and unite the community.
The rally will be held outdoors in the Newark High School parking lot,
and it is suggested that participants wear warm clothing and bring seating.
Refreshments will be available. In case of bad weather, the rally will move
indoors to the high school gymnasium.
The rally is being offered as a counterbalance to the Ku Klux Klan
march on Main Street Saturday, which will take place at the same time.
Buses will be available to transport students to and from the Saturday
afternoon rally, and the complete schedule is listed on the bottom of page 2.
Through Saturday's alternative event, it is hoped the community will
show its support by attending the rally and ignoring the KKK parade, said
Susan Eggert, rally program chairperson. The last unity rally was very
successful with approximately 1,000 participants, she said.
Delaware Gov. Thomas Carper will address the rally.
The afternoon's keynote speaker will be Bruce Bridges, a faculty
member at North Carolina State University, who is a well-known lecturer on
racism, has a radio talk show and owns a bookstore specializing in
African-American books and materials. Bridges has waived his speaking fee
for this occasion.
Entertainment will be provided by Alfie Moss, a female singer who
performs locally; Susan Herrick, a songwriter/singer; The Yancey Brothers,
a well-known gospel group; The Stagelights, a children's dance studio; Marc
Moss, a singer; Vic Sadot, leader of the Crazy Planet Band; and singers and
dancers from the Latin American Community Center, plus church and school
choirs. A performance by the Black Student Theatre at the University also
will be presented.
The Newark Unity Coalition was formed to "build bridges of
understanding and cooperation between groups and individuals" and to
"affirm our differences and our commonalties through education, public
events and political advocacy," according to the group's mission statement.
Started last fall by Louise Robeck, minister of the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship of Newark, the coalition consists of approximately
50 concerned citizens from the community and University with the common
goal of promoting understanding and unity, as opposed to intolerance and
dissension.
"The unity rally is designed to be a fun celebration of our diversity.
The last unity event was highly successful, and we hope this unity rally
will counter the Ku Klux Klan parade and make it a non-event," said Robert
Longwell-Grice, assistant director of housing and residence life.
Judith Gibson, assistant vice president of affirmative action and
multicultural programs, said it is important for people to show support for
diversity, and to respond in a "unified, reasonable and rational manner" to
the KKK and its message.
Peter Wells, who serves as pastor of the United Church for Christ and
one of the founding members of the Newark Unity Coalition, said, "The unity
rally strengthens the community and sends a positive message as we join
together to affirm and celebrate our diversity."
Gary Hayman, president of the Newark NAACP, said he hopes the turnout
at the rally will "indeed get out the message and show, in a pro-active
way, that the community does not support intolerance and hatred, as
espoused by splinter groups such as the KKK."
As stated by the Newark Unity Coalition, "We envision our community
being a place in which the inherent worth and dignity of all people is
celebrated and nurtured," and the unity rally is designed to carry out this
goal.
For information, call the Campus Diversity Office at 831-8735.
-Sue Swyers Moncure