First Selectman Rudy Marconi had a powerful message to Ridgefield during today's Martin Luther Day Ceremony: "Today, I beg; I plead for your help. We have seen here in Ridgefield the physical evidence of racism and bigotry and we can no longer tolerate these acts." Marconi continues, "We have begun our work with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Clergy Association, our schools, our government within our community to foster a village of acceptance and tolerance."
Here is his complete speech:
I would like to stand here today and tell you has renounced the word racism, but we have not. I would like to stand here today and tell you that we are a community that has unlearned the word bigotry, but we are not. I would like to stand here today and tell you we are a community welded in solidarity, against the enemy of hatred and contempt, but we are not. Today, in the 21 century, one might think that racism and bigotry are something from the past, long gone from society, but they are not.
Recent occurrences in our community - swastikas, racial slurs have led me to believe that although the majority of Ridgefield residents share the compassion and respect for all races and all religions, there are a few who do not. Today, I beg; I plead for your help. We have seen here in Ridgefield the physical evidence of racism and bigotry and we can no longer tolerate these acts. We have begun our work with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Clergy Association, our schools, our government within our community to foster a village of acceptance and tolerance - but it is just the beginning. We must further educate our citizens, both young and old that Ridgefield is and will continue to be a community that rejects racism, a community that rejects bigotry, a community that rejects hatred and contempt toward others (applause).
In our battle against opioids and heroin, I often cite four areas of focus to hopefully combat and defeat this crisis in our society. Two of them are education and prevention. Please, I ask all of us here today to focus and work at educating our friends and family that all of us must share in the responsibility of understanding the rights of everyone. None of us are superior because of skin color or religion. Through this education, we can hopefully achieve a community of love, a community of respect, a community we can all be proud to call home.
In the spirit of Dr. King, we must remain dedicated to educating our community, both individuals, and organizations collectively, toward achieving a community of justice, peace, and harmony. After all, as Dr. King said, 'A beloved community for all us to work and live in'.