Speak Out Against Hate sets community meeting Jan. 11

Speak Out Against Hate will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, at Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes. Attendance via Zoom will also be available.

The organization was formed in 2023 by Sussex County residents concerned about the rising tide of hatred, threats and hate crimes, as well as the normalization of such acts and lack of response from public officials.

SOAH has formed five action groups that continue to reach out to elected officials, youth and school officials, police officials, business leaders and faith leaders in efforts to enlist their support in this critical mission.

The group held community meetings in October and November, attracting a combined total of more than 200 registrants in person and via Zoom including individuals from the above fields.

At the Jan. 11 meeting, panels comprising leaders and individuals from each of the action groups will discuss how they view the endemic rise in hatred and what they believe they can do to combat it.

Allan Slan, an organizer of the group, said, “We have come a long way in reaching out to the community and now wish to hear how our citizens and leaders intend to push back against the hatefulness that seems to permeate our society.”

For more information and to register for the meeting, go to sdarj.org/soah or email infoforsoah@gmail.com.