Montgomery County Council Vice President Andrew Friedson has officially released a statement in response to Islamophobic hate speech used by counter demonstrators in Rockville on Sunday, November 5th. Councilmember Friedson, previously responded to the incident via social media. His full statement can be seen below:
“I have seen images of deeply disturbing language used by demonstrators and counter-demonstrators locally and on college campuses in Maryland.
I have referred the video of the abhorrent Islamophobic hate speech from a counter demonstrator in Rockville on Sunday November 5″ to Montgomery County’s Committee Against Hate Violence and to the Anti-Hate Task Force. City of Rockville Police have also been notified.
We must be abundantly clear: hate speech of any kind is unacceptable and harmful. 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 unnecessary 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 referred the video of the abhorrent Islamophobic hate speech from a counter demonstrator in Rockville on Sunday, November 5th to Montgomery County’s Committee Against Hate Violence and to the Anti-Hate Task Force. Rockville Police have also been notified.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/cVrSXWliDO— Councilmember Andrew Friedson (@Andrew_Friedson) November 13, 2023