Greenburgh Human Rights Advisory Committee
Town of Greenburgh, NY
Committee Statement on Recent Hateful Social Media Post
The Greenburgh Human Rights Committee has often spoken out against white supremacist groups and symbols in our Town and County. Now we strongly condemn the white supremacist ideas expressed in a social media post by a prominent Hartsdale resident.
The post on Nextdoor (subsequently deleted in the face of criticism), aimed at the Black Lives Matter movement and protests of police abuse, charged political leaders were “kowtowing to the bottom of the barrel.” It asked “Why were our elected officials bending a knee on international broadcast to a group composed of the dregs of society?” and “Why are we deifying George Floyd?”
These poisonous, unacceptable ideas have no place in modern society and certainly no place in a diverse Town like Greenburgh. They traffic in concepts of inferior and superior human beings that have their origins in the rationalizations for American slavery. The only role they serve is to divide people and promote hate. In every area of Westchester, residents are speaking out against this today as never before.
This includes the Greenburgh Police Department. Chief Brian J. Ryan’s recent video acknowledged that George Floyd’s death was “an affront to decency and is the antithesis of the police mission. The egregious actions of these officers have been condemned by all of us who serve in law enforcement and they must be held accountable.”
We stand with the Chief’s sentiment. We stand against those who would excuse racist policing and who hatefully denigrate our fellow Greenburgh residents and all Americans who are crying out against a deeply entrenched system of injustice that must be ended so we can all move forward in unity and peace.
Moving forward requires great effort from all involved. Our Committee continues to work with residents, town government and the police to build a better Greenburgh.
Issued June 15, 2020