POINT LOMA, Calif., (KGTV)— Rainy conditions did not deter thousands of people from participating in the Second Annual Walk Against Hate-San Diego.
“I walk for peace and for equal rights for people,” a pre-teen participant said.
Three thousand five hundred people joined the Anti-Defamation League’s biggest event of the year, walking to show that San Diego is no place for hate.
“Especially in the aftermath of something that is so tragic happening to our community,” ADL-San Diego’s Director of Development, Lindsey Zipkin said.
Still fresh in the minds of participants is the Poway Synagogue Shooting on April 27, 2019. Zipkin said there was a huge jump in registration, right after the tragedy.
“It gives people a really great way to come together to support one another and to celebrate diversity and respect. And really show that this is really what San Diego is about. No place for hate and not that terrible things that just happened to us,” Zipkin said.
10News also spoke to 15-year-old Nadiv Meltzer, who said the incident opened up a serious dialogue at home. His father, Rabbi Scott Meltzer, talked to him about overcoming bias and hate.
“I think it’s not ideal that we needed such as an exhibition of hate and violence to get people together, but I think it’s important that people do get together,” Meltzer said.
Together they walked, in the name of love and inclusivity.
“Understanding that things like that can happen, but it’s our job not to let that stop us from expressing ourselves religiously or being who we actually are," Meltzer said. "I think that’s really important,”
