While warming up to the Village People singing “YMCA,” hundreds of people of all ages and races gathered outside of the Winston Family YMCA on Jacksonville’s Northbank Sunday afternoon to celebrate unity in the aptly named Unity Village before the start of the “Racing Against Hate 5k Run/Walk.”
It was a perfect day for such an event.
When the Jewish Community Alliance and First Coast YMCA partnered together following the antisemitism disturbances in Northeast Florida, a series of educational talks followed.
The series “Together Against Hate” began in September 2023 and concluded with the 5K Sunday.
RELATED | ‘Together Against Hate’ series continues Tuesday with event focused on combatting antisemitism
The series included educational topics from several speakers including 904Forward, JASMYN, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), The ARC Jacksonville, The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services, OneJax and Interfaith Center.
“As the events unfolded around the world because of bias and hate, only confirmed why community is needed here in Jacksonville more than ever,” said JCA CEO Adam Chaskin in reference to the Israel-Hamas War, which started just as the Together Against Hate series began.
On Sunday, his message was heard loud and under clear skies as the Northeast Florida community bonded together to celebrate unity and show their support by racing against hate.
Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
