The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution condemning a Neo-Nazi protest last weekend in front of the Chabad of Cobb synagogue in East Cobb.
The resolution was added to the commissioners’ agenda and was voted on without discussion.
The resolution (you can read it here) also mentioned the distribution of anti-Semitic flyers in metro Atlanta neighborhoods in recent weeks, including some in Cobb:
“WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners recognizes that any group has the right to free speech and the ability to peacefully protest, demonstrate, and distribute information regarding its beliefs, no matter how reprehensible to others; and
“WHEREAS, when such speech threatens any person, minority group, or religious community, residents should respond by educating others with voices and actions as loud as those spreading the hateful speech;
“NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners does hereby denounce the actions of those who threaten members of our community, attempt to shatter the belief that Cobb County is a safe and welcoming place, and call for all to stand against their hate speech and attempts to divide our county.”
Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid made the motion to approve, and District 2 commissioner Jerica Richardson seconded it.
Here’s a portion of Cupid’s statement:
“While disheartened these messages were spread in our county, I appreciate that these events ended peacefully. Our public safety personnel have our complete support, as do members of the Jewish community and those in Cobb who find these displays reprehensible.
“My desire is for no one to perpetuate a heinous history that signifies hate in our county. Cobb is a community that is moving forward, together, and where we are all in, in establishing a county where all can safely live, work, and enjoy.”
And Richardson’s statement:
These actions do not represent the values of the East Cobb community that I know. As soon as I heard where this was going on, I went to the Synagogue. There, I found the most remarkable display of the community coming together to chant, defend, and support our Jewish sisters and brothers at the Synagogue.
On Sunday, there were among many public elected officials who issued denunciations of the protest, which included around 10 people from the Goyim Defense League.
Gov. Brian Kemp, U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, and state lawmakers also issued statements agains the protest, which was the second incident in Georgia involving the GDL last week. A similar event took place in Macon on Friday, and a public rally of support for a synagogue there was held in response.
A number of other faith communities and organizations also issued calls of support for Chabad, including the Etz Chaim and Temple Kol Emeth synagogues in East Cobb.
A prayer event was scheduled for Wednesday evening at East Cobb United Methodist Church.
And the Georgia chapter of the Council on Islamic American Relations also issued a statement:
“We condemn this deeply-disturbing antisemitic incident and stand in unwavering solidarity with the Jewish community in the face of blind hatred. Such abhorrent acts of hate and bigotry have no place in our society and must be unequivocally condemned. Together, we will stand against this hatred and work toward a future in which every individual can live free from fear and discrimination.”
Related:
- East Cobb resident reappointed to Cobb Development Authority
- Ex-commission chair joins Cobb Taxpayers Association board
- Cupid ‘can’t say’ if she’ll propose Cobb millage rate cut
- Gritters Library to close June 17 for reconstruction of new site
- Cobb strategic plan draft includes exclusionary zoning reference
- Funding approved for Ebenezer Downs Park design contract
- ‘Vast majority’ of Cobb homeowners to get higher assessments
- Cupid, public commenters spar over ‘State of Cobb’ address
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Is it just me, or are these “statements of support and condemnation” from our 3Ps (Pathetic Partisan Politicians) about as supportive as cheap toilet paper???
When the issue is Black Lives Matter, there is no equivocation, it is clearly stated. Same for LGBTQ, never any doubt.
But here, the County Commissioners spend their time supporting the right of the Nazi pigs to say what they did, and urging others to engage in education. Anybody see anything about the horror of antisemitism permeating our schools, our social institutions, threatening violence in our communities?
Cupid and Richardson fared only a bit better, managing to include “Jewish” in their messages, without displaying any strong determination to address this simmering societal threat.
It’s no wonder that Cobb County is still considered the home turf of the bubbas and the good ole boys, happy to take anyone’s economic contributions as long as they don’t
hang around if they don’t fit in. No surprise the Nazi pigs chose to hit the street here!
Blessings to the Council on Islamic American Relations for having the courage to step forward and clearly recognize antisemitism in our community for the poison it is, as only another oppressed ethnic minority might.