Press release
ITHACA, NY -- Thursday, Rep. Tom Reed hosted the “Stand Up For Your Rights & Freedom" event in downtown Ithaca.
Despite attempts to disrupt the event, including the burning of the American flag in front of Ithaca City Hall, Reed discussed the importance of standing together as one community and condemning extremism, including political violence, intimidation, racism and Anti-Semitism.
Photos with from left to right: Reed speaking with the group, Reed listening to constituents, Counter-protestors burning the American flag at Ithaca City Hall.
The group then marched to Ithaca City Hall, where they delivered a special American flag previously flown over the United States Capitol a symbolic gesture of unity and hope.
Mayor Myrick kept the doors of City Hall locked, refused to accept the flag or meet with Reed in person and ignored numerous meeting requests. Reed and citizens supporting Reed’s efforts waited in the pouring rain at Mayor Myrick’s “Listening” box while radicals further blocked access to City Hall by burning an American flag.
“We were proud to bring people together today in a demonstration of unity and a rejection of hatred,” said Reed. “Whether it be political violence, intimidation, racism, or Anti-Semitism, it is our duty to stand up and make clear that acts of hatred have no place in our communities. We call on everyone to join us in this effort.”
“The Mayor’s refusal to join us today was disappointing. Standing up for the rights of all Americans together in one voice shouldn’t be controversial.”
“We will continue to work to bring people together and stop these destructive incidents from occurring. Our door is always open because we believe that in order to represent people, you have to listen to them. Even when we disagree, all Americans must unite in condemning those who trample the rights of others,” continued Reed.
The livestreams of the event can be found here.
The event was organized in response to a rise in hateful actions across the region, including:
A brick was thrown through the Tom Reed for Congress office (link).
Counter-protesters assaulting rally goers and defacing their property; one woman was thrown to the ground and had her shoulder dislocated (link).
Reed hosted an event to clean up the graffiti and stand up against this kind of intolerance. During the event, protesters showed up to scream obscenities and disrupt the event (link).
Efforts to intimate Tom Reed and his family through a dead rat and a brick with a family member’s name on at his personal home (link).
Anti-Semitic activities and vandalism in downtown Ithaca (link).
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