SUNBURY, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — After a group of masked individuals sparked controversy in a Northumberland County community, another group rallied peacefully today to oppose their message.
Community members gathered in Sunbury to show the residents that everyone is welcome, regardless of their race, gender, or sexual identity.
The rally's purpose was to spread love and unity throughout the community after a group of masked individuals were seen last weekend waving a Neo-Nazi Celtic cross flag.
"There were only a few people, and they all covered their faces, and they hid their faces and shame, and I wanted to be part of the group. that is the majority, the majority of our state, the majority of our country we don't believe in the hate," said Amanda Waldman from Sunbury.
These community members were shocked to see this group spreading what they call "messages of hate" in their town.
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"People were upset last weekend when they saw the group that was here spreading white nationalist rhetoric and hate," says Waldman.
These residents decided they wanted to do something about it and make their voices heard.
"There were over 75 of us here and we came out just to show people here. they're welcome to show the community that that's not what Sunbury is about. It's not what Northumberland County is about it's not what River Valley is about," explained Waldman.
One person 28/22 News spoke with says uniting within the community is the first step.
"What I want to try to do is close that gap that divide that we have in our country and we need to do that starting in our home starting in our community," stated Victoria Rosancrans from Sunbury.
To those in the community that lives in fear, Rosecrans has this message for them.
"Those people that live in fear and we just want them to know that we love you you belong here, and we just wanted to come together as one we had the police our police station was here today police officers we had our diversity officer, for the city was here and a lot of other organizations, and just citizens that came out," added Rosancrans.
The mayor of Sunbury was also at the rally.
"I just came out here to support this cause of equality for everybody because this is what somebody stands for in this country, the state about equality for everybody," continued Josh Brosious the Mayor of Sunbury.
People 28/22 News spoke with at the rally all say one thing, the goal is to spread love and show all that they are welcome.
