MORE: Dayton uniting against Klan message
“This is something that gives us an opportunity prior 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.
MORE: Klan rally part of hate crime discussion: ‘There’s just a lot of angst out there’
“Everyone will be intrigued,” he said.
“We want the attention not to be focused on the hatred that is going to happen downtown,” Foward 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, similar to what followed 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 it right on out of Montgomery County, Ohio,” Foward said. “Then we will start fresh, a new day.”
Klan-related meetings and anti-hate events
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.
RELATED: Dayton’s anti-hate campaign unveiled before Klan rally
Event Marshal Training
U.S. Department of Justice
Wednesday
6-8 p.m.
Central State West
840 Germantown St., Dayton
RELATED: Coming KKK rally in Dayton prompts flurry of protest training
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 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 Blvd. at W. Riverview Ave., Dayton
All are welcome to a family-friendly, block-party style celebration with speakers, music and spoken word. Those attending are asked to bring a chair and their own refreshments.
Partners include: Amer Temple No. 107, Christ Episcopal Church, city of Dayton, David’s United Church of Christ, Dayton Chapter of the Links, Inc., Dayton Women’s Resistance, Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance, District 10 Indivisible for All, Equity Lodge 121, Eternal Joy MCC, First Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Ridgewood Heights, Ginghamsburg Church, Greater Dayton Christian Connections, Jewish Community Relations Council, Living Beatitudes, Mom’s Demand Action, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Neighborhoods Over Politics, Organizing for Action Montgomery/Greene counties, National Pan-Hellenic Council of Montgomery County, Trotwood Missional Community, Unity of Dayton, U.S. Department of Justice, Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, West Dayton Caravan of Churches, Inc., Women’s March Ohio and YWCA Dayton.
Love Fest DYT
Saturday
1-5 p.m.
Oak and Ivy Park
700 Goodrich Ct., Dayton
Family friendly event with live music, food trucks, speakers
2nd Annual Community United Peace Rally
Sponsored by Bags Filled With Hearts of Love
Sunday, May 26
Noon-8 p.m.
McIntosh Park, Edwin C Moses Blvd. at W. Riverview Ave., Dayton
Community peace rally and balloon release for families who has lost a love one to gun violence and drug overdoses. Free and open to the public. Will include food vendors, three-on-three basketball tournament, bouncy house and free food for children.
Love Overcomes Hate Cleansing of the Square
Sunday, May 26
2-4 p.m.
Courthouse Square
Community will gather at Courthouse Square to “wash away the hate.”
About the Author
