Condemning all forms of hate
After the media covered the story about antisemitic flyers being dropped in several places across Sonoma County, the issue started popping up on local social media. We soon learned that a local Petaluma antisemitic organization was responsible. In the spring of 2021, a group of us met at the Deviled Eggery to discuss antisemitism locally - to share stories, safety concerns, and to identify actions we could take. We called ourselves the “Antisemitism Action Team.” We learned that many people were frightened by the overall rise in anti-Jewish hatred nationally, and many were stunned to learn our town is home to a prominent hate group. While many of us are willing to take action, others are unwilling to speak out publicly for fear of being a target of hate attacks.
Our team first focused on researching the problem. We were shocked to learn that Petaluma is the official business location of a virulent nationwide antisemitic network. Also, we learned that since 2019, antisemitism has continued to rise dramatically, with 2020 and 2021 having seen the most anti-Jewish hate incidents since the Anti-Defimation League began tracking them in 1979.
One key problem the Antisemitism Action Team identified is that people do not feel that our leaders are taking enough action. A member of our group shared with us the success Marin County had in passing a county-wide ordinance against antisemitism. We read about the county’s experience in getting the ordinance passed, and we agreed this would be a great action for us to pursue. Having our leaders, starting with Sonoma County Commissioners, make a strong and inclusive statement against antisemitism and all forms of hate speech, would be a starting point to showing our Jewish community, and all communities targeted by hate speech, that our leaders care and recognize the fast rising problem of antisemitism locally.
The group started by researching the Marin County language and passage, and discussed with those knowledgeable in our group how to get support for this issue. We contacted the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights who worked with us throughout with advice and advocacy in the county. Deviled Eggery advisor Caitlin Quinn worked with us to get the support of the County Commission on the Status of Womens Rights. Our group created draft language for a county-wide ordinance against Antisemitism and all forms of hate. Many volunteers reached out to local organizations and businesses to get their support for this resolution.
We presented the resolution to several County Commissions. After over a year of gaining county-wide support, we eventually worked with County Commissioner Hopkins to prioritize the resolution by adding it to the County Commission agenda. It passed, with unanimous support from all County Commissioners.
During all of this work, we learned that the antisemitic hate group responsible for the hate incidents locally has since moved to Florida, citing California as being an inhospitable climate for their work. If you’re interested in joining the Antisemitism Action Team or hosting a related event at the Deviled Eggery, please reach out.