Councilmember Andrew Friedson Responds to Hate Speech Used at Rockville Demonstration Earlier This Week

Councilmember Andrew Friedson has responded to disturbing hate speech used at a demonstration in Rockville on Sunday, November 5th (available below).

@RaefMusic, a local musician, stated on X that he and a group “gathered to call for an end to the carnage happening in Gaza, an end to the killing of babies…and were met with these counter-protesters.” Raef noted that the gathering was an “interfaith collective of MoCo leaders including Muslims, Christians, and Jews seeking an end to the carnage in Gaza.” He shared a video, which contains deeply disturbing hate speech, from counter protestors at the demonstration.

We reached out to Rockville Police on Friday afternoon for additional information regarding what occurred at the demonstration, including any possible arrests and will update as soon as we hear back. Rockville Police did issue a statement earlier this week titled “Hate Has No Home in Rockville.” Councilmember Andrew Friedson’s response can be seen below:

“I’ve seen images of deeply disturbing language used by demonstrators and counter-demonstrators locally and on college campuses in Maryland. We must be abundantly clear: Hate speech of any kind is absolutely unacceptable.

I don’t condone referring to people as animals, promoting terror, or suggesting violence. That is never in bounds at any peaceful protest. We must be able to stand up for our cause without causing unneccesary harm to others. Our words matter.

It’s not just what we say, but how we say it, especially now when emotions are so raw and tensions are so high. Let’s try to value, rather than vilify one another. Let’s hold each other accountable to speak our truth without robbing others of their truth.”

I've seen images of deeply disturbing language used by demonstrators and counter-demonstrators locally and on college campuses in Maryland.

We must be abundantly clear:

Hate speech of any kind is absolutely unacceptable.

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— Councilmember Andrew Friedson (@Andrew_Friedson) November 10, 2023