In a courageous demonstration of true leadership, the Ocean County Board of Freeholders unanimously passed a strong Resolution specifically denouncing the hate group Rise Up Ocean County.

After the Resolution was passed, a parade of diverse community leaders rose to publicly thank the Freeholders for their clarity and resolve in declaring that haters, anti-Semites and racists have no safe haven, sympathy or support among the vast majority of Ocean County residents.

Leading the chorus was Michael Cohen, East Coast Director of world renowned Simon Wiesenthal Center. He was joined among others by African-American, Hispanic and Jewish leaders, who echoed their gratitude to the Freeholders for their actions and leadership. These included: Mike McNeil (Statewide NAACP leader), Ada Gonzales (Lakewood community leader and School Board member), Rabbi Avi Schnall (Agudath Israel of NJ), Colin Lewis (community activist), Mrs. C. Jacobowitz (BMG) and a selection of Toms River and Lakewood residents.

Rabbi Moshe Zev Weisberg stated, “We thank our friends and colleagues, representing the diversity and unity of Ocean County, for proudly standing with us today in this historic rejection of hate.”

Rabbi Weisberg continued, “Today we joined together to RAISE UP OCEAN COUNTY. We now respectfully call on the leadership of our surrounding communities to join in the clear call of the Ocean County Freeholders, Lakewood Township Committee and the Simon Wiesenthal Center to unequivocally denounce Rise Up Ocean County and the hate it represents. Please come to the plate and pass similar Resolutions to show the haters and bigots that we stand together as one.”