This past Saturday, AU faculty, staff and students were invited to join in a Peace and Unity Rally that was planned after hearing of the KKK meeting that was to take place in Madison, Indiana that same day.
In an email to faculty, staff and students, Sheila MacMurray said “we believe that every group has the right to express their views in public. However, as persons committed to peace and justice, we too, have the right and the responsibility to respond by ‘speaking the truth in love’ to any group that would stir people to hate or violence. We call all people of good will to peaceful resolution of differences.”
“It was a wonderful opportunity to see students and community members banding together for a common purpose,” said Rachel Knies, a sophomore political science major.
“The purpose of the rally was to offer a response to the KKK rally happening that same day. While there are people who espouse hateful rhetoric, we were able to communicate that there will always be people to stand against that and to advocate for peace and unity over segregation and negativity,” she said.
When asked about the overall atmosphere of the rally, Knies said, “It was super positive. We sang songs and chanted and several people that saw it from the street joined in. People seemed to have a very positive reaction and thought it was a cool think to do.”
The group marched from AU’s campus to the downtown Anderson Market with the goal of “simply showing their support for the strength in peace and unity among all people.”