Recently a group of individuals and businesses in Montvale NJ launched a campaign of hatred directed at the local Episcopal Church and its rector, Jill Williams. The campaign includes threats, picketing, defamatory statements, and anti-LGBTQ hate speech.

Their campaign of hate started shortly after a group of parishioners illegally removed church financial records. Since then, Montvale-area residents have disrupted church services, spread lies about the church and its rector, and more.

Ironically, the church has offered a mediation and reconciliation initiative through the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. But instead, these hateful persons continue their divisive, hate-filled campaign.

Meanwhile, area businesses either turn a blind eye or encourage and support the haters. 

So, I am asking you to join me in telling Montvale mayor Mike Ghassali and the local chamber of commerce to reject every form of hatred and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. And I ask that you boycott Montvale businesses until they renounce hate. 

Simply put, hate has no home here. And it shouldn’t have a home in Montvale NJ.