SIGN OF THE TIMES?

Silent protest coincides with Trump’s inauguration

KENNETT SQUARE >> The signs have been popping up all over lawns in Chester County. It’s a simple message that states: “Hate Has No Home Here,” and it’s written in five languages, English, Arabic, Hebrew, Korean and Spanish.

Now, the Kennett Square Democratic Committee is sponsoring a silent protest, urging people to put the sign outside of their residence at noon on Friday, Jan. 20, to coincide with the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump.

The group is using Evite and social media platforms to spread the word in the community.

“It’s a wonderful message, whether you are Republican, Democrat or Independent,” said Wayne Braffman, vice chairman of the Kennett Area Democrats and a member of Kennett Square council. “This message is right for America.”

Braffman said the message on the 18-inch by 24-inch signs is powerful.

“When (Trump) is being sworn in, let’s make a statement that we don’t’ accept or tolerate hate in America,” Braffman said. “(Trump’s) campaign had a lot of hate in it. This is our way of standing up against that.”

The movement was started in a small neighborhood in Chicago by people who were afraid of bullying after the election, targeting Latinos and Muslims. The slogan used

in the sign was created by a third-grader and kindergartener at a neighborhood elementary school in Chicago. It quickly spread nationally, and the signs are now in more than 30 states.

Braffman said when he ordered 25 signs, they were gone in a day. Then he ordered 100 more signs, and they quickly were sold. He said he is ordering another 100 signs, and expects them to go quickly.

“It’s a wonderful message, whether you are Republican, Democrat or Independent. This message is right for America.” — Wayne Braffman, vice chairman of the Kennett Area Democrats and a member of Kennett Square council

“It’s amazing how fast these things are going out the door,” Braffman said.

To order a sign, simply go to www.kennettareademocrats.com and click on the image of the poster that says Hate Has No Home Here. Make a donation of any amount, and the sign will be delivered to your door if you live in the Kennett Democrats region, which stretches from Pennsbury to London Britain.

“If it’s outside of our area, Oxford, or West Chester, I will even make arrangements to get it there,” Braffman said.

FRAN MAYE - DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Sally and Wayne Braffman stand next to the anti-hate sign on their front lawn. The signs have been popping all up around Chester County.