A group of non-Jewish Rockland County residents staged a peaceful “stop and shop” demonstration Friday afternoon aimed at protesting “de facto segregation” by entering single file into Rockland Kosher Supermarket off Route 306 and purchasing one item apiece.
LOHUD.com (http://lohud.us/1arqvFa) reports that the protest was the first event staged by a new group called “Wake Up Rockland,” organized by Rev. Weldon McWilliams IV of the First Baptist Church in Spring Valley, and whose intent is to let the Hasidic community know that “we are here, and we are not going anywhere.”
In recognizing the growing divide within the community over major issues—-most notably the ongoing case of the Hasidic-run East Ramapo school board—-Rev. Williams said the act of patronizing the local kosher market was symbolic of promoting the ideal that both communities can co-exist peacefully.
Sources say the reaction of store employees and Hasidic shoppers inside the market—-many of whom were busy preparing for Shabbat—-ran anywhere from confusion to curiosity to contempt.
The Hasidic owner of the store ordered reporters off the property and said, “I don’t need them here,” when asked about the local patrons.
LOHUD.com (http://lohud.us/1arqvFa) reports that the protest was the first event staged by a new group called “Wake Up Rockland,” organized by Rev. Weldon McWilliams IV of the First Baptist Church in Spring Valley, and whose intent is to let the Hasidic community know that “we are here, and we are not going anywhere.”
In recognizing the growing divide within the community over major issues—-most notably the ongoing case of the Hasidic-run East Ramapo school board—-Rev. Williams said the act of patronizing the local kosher market was symbolic of promoting the ideal that both communities can co-exist peacefully.
Sources say the reaction of store employees and Hasidic shoppers inside the market—-many of whom were busy preparing for Shabbat—-ran anywhere from confusion to curiosity to contempt.
The Hasidic owner of the store ordered reporters off the property and said, “I don’t need them here,” when asked about the local patrons.
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