» Local NAACP has events planned — and none include confronting the Klan group.
Multiple events are scheduled during the next week to help the community understand the history of hate groups, train people to be safe if they plan to counterprotest and provide alternative gatherings as a KKK-affiliated group comes to Dayton.
The local NAACP h as three events planned — and none include confronting the Klan group downtown, said Derrick Foward, the Dayton Unit president. The first is a conversation about race Thursday at the Dayton Art Institute.
“This is something that gives us an opportunity pr ior to the hate group coming in to sit down and have a general conversation regarding race and how we can continue to talk about it,” Foward said.
On Saturday, the NAACP along with a broad coalition of about 40 community partners will gather in McIntosh Park from 1-3 p.m., the same time Klan members are permitted to be on Courthouse Square.
“On Saturday, we want everybody’s attention focused on something positive, a community celebration, an afternoon of love, peace, unity and diversity,” he said.
Foward promises a surprise keynote speaker.
“Every o ne will be intrigued,” he said.
“We want the attention not to be focused on the hatred that is going to happen downtown,” Forward said. “They won’t know what’s happening with us, we won’t know what’s happening with them, nor do we want to know what’s happening with them.”
On Sunday, attention returns downtown for a ceremonial cleansing, sim- ilar to what followed the UNITED AGAINST HATE MONTH
Through June 13
A call for local civic action across Dayton to stand united against hate, uplift the community and promote a culture of inclusion, respect and empathy. U.S. Department of Justice Wednesday
6-8 p.m. Central State West 840 Germantown St., Dayton
AN EVENING DISCUSSION ON RACE RELATIONS
Dayton Unit NAACP Thursday
6-8 p.m.
Dayton Art Institute 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton
A candid conversation around the topic of race relations in our community. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and advance ticket reservations are required through etix.com.
TERRORIZING AFRICAN AMERICANS, IMMIGRANTS AND JEWS: THE PAST AND PRESENT OF THE KKK AND WHITE SUPREMACY Thursday
6:30-8 p.m. Precious Blood Church 4961 Salem Ave., Dayton The presentation by the last Klan rally there in 1994.
“We’ll be at Courthouse Square to wash away all that hatred — wash it right on out of Dayton, Ohio, wash University of Dayton’s Bill Trollinger will discuss the history of white supremacy in the region and its resurgence. For more information, contact Sara Seligmann, sseligmann@ catholiccincinnati.org.
DAYTON NAACP COMMUNITY CELEBRATION: AN AFTERNOON OF LOVE, UNITY, PEACE AND DIVERSITY
Saturday
1-3 p.m. McIntosh Park, Edwin C. Moses Boulevard at West Riverview Avenue, Dayton All are welcome to a family-friendly, blockparty style celebration with speakers, music and spoken word. Those attending are asked to bring a chair and their own refreshments. Saturday
1-5 p.m.
Oak and Ivy Park
700 Goodrich Ct., Dayton Family-friendly event with live music, food trucks, speakers Sunday, May 26
2-4 p.m. Courthouse Square Community will gather at Courthouse Square to “wash away the hate.”
Contact this reporter at 937-225-2442 or Chris. Stewart@coxinc.com. it right on out of Montgomery County, Ohio,” Foward said.
“Then we will start fresh, a new day.”