Norway rally supports peaceful and safe communities

NORWAY — Oxford Hills Indivisible members, along with other residents of the community, stood on Main Street Sunday, Aug. 13, in solidarity with Charlottesville, Va., and to stress support of peaceful and safe communities.
Many members of the First Universalist Church of Norway, as well as people from as far away as New Hampshire, New York and Texas who were in the area and stopped to join the vigil, made up the crowd of about 30 people.

Liesha Petrovich, head of Oxford Hills Indivisible, stated, “As a black belt, business owner and mother, it’s my responsibility to stand up against racism in any form. I’ve seen racism in this town and we can’t sit idly by and let this intolerance stand. I brought my children up in this area and chose to build a life here. We are better then this and I want to make sure that all our area kids, regardless of color, feel safe in the Oxford Hills. Standing with Charlottesville is the least we can do.”
The First Universalist Church of Norway often hosts events that celebrate peace, organizers said. The Rev. Fayre Stephenson said, “Like everyone who stood with us at the vigil, we, the members of the First Universalist Church of Norway have been both horrified and saddened by the hatred and violence practiced by the white supremacist groups in our country, most recently Charlottesville. On Sunday we stood and voiced our solidarity with those in Charlottesville who renounce hatred, profess peace and love, and affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person.”
Oxford Hills Indivisible organizes through its Facebook page, Oxford Hills Progressives.