TRR photo by Krista Gromalski Bo Kepple, left, and Robert Hillman of the Unity Coalition of the Poconos during the "Don't Let Hate Grow" rally in Milford last week. (Click for larger image)

By KRISTA GROMALSKI

MILFORD - Approximately 67 Unity Coalitions exist across Pennsylvania to non-confrontationally oppose hate crimes, but until last week, none were present in Wayne or Pike counties.

That grim statistic was changed by an energized group of more than 50 individuals who gathered in the Biondo Trust Room in the Biondo Building on Broad Street in Milford.

The group came together for a rally called "Don't Let Hate Grow." They weren't exactly sure what the outcome would be, but knew they needed to respond to anti-Semitic graffiti and a number of local incidents involving hateful phone messages and cat-calling that had occurred over the past few months.

Roseanne Kolberg, primary organizer of the rally, invited Robert Hillman and Bo Kepple of the Monroe County Unity Coalition to speak at the rally. The Monroe group grew in response to KKK cross burnings in the Stroudsburg area.

Hillman provided the group in Milford with a packet called "Stop the Hate with Harmony," a how-to kit and video on forming a Unity Coalition. He and colleague Bo Kepple offered to assist with the formation of a Pike coalition.

Prior to the rally, Kolberg likened the process to birth. "Two more pushes and we'll be there," she said, and she was right. The coalition, tentatively named the Tri-State Unity Coalition, was born that evening in a room full of hope.

In attendance were Hemlock Farms residents, Delaware Valley High School students, representatives of many local agencies and Pike County Commissioner Harry Forbes. Commissioner Carl Wagner, Jr. even dropped in with PA Democratic Candidate for Congress Pat Casey, who had been at a political gathering across town.

Hillman told the group it is not who perpetrates the hate crime, but how the community reacts and how the victim is treated. "Shame on the person," he said, but also "shame on the community if they fail to clean up the graffiti."

Citing examples of how his group dealt with the cross burnings and KKK demonstrations, Hillman suggested using a positive, non-confrontational response. Hold a unity rally away from the hateful activity, he said, and when the hate group has left town march over their same path and hold a candlelight vigil where they spoke. "Show the difference."

Hillman and Kepple both emphasize the need to include all groups in the coalition. "[Hate groups] concentrate on one group," said Hillman. "The more you don't say, the more groups will be attacked. If there is resistance, they will stop. Silence is what they're looking for."

Kepple called Milford's situation "an opportunity" and encouraged the new unity coalition to become active in the local school districts. "When teachers are intolerant, they must be reeducated," she said.

Delaware Valley High School student council president Danielle Bray asked for community support in creating awareness. "I'll be at the next [school] board meeting if anyone wants to support me," she said.

The next meeting of the Tri-State Unity Coalition is set for Wednesday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the commissioners' meeting room of the Pike County Administration Building on Broad Street in Milford. For more information or to become involved, call Kolberg at 570/686-4065 or e-mail kolberggroup@pikeonline.net.