Words Matter

Dear Mayor Neff and Council Members,

There are moments in life when one cannot simply watch horrific, historic events unfold and remain quietly on the sidelines. Instead, one must stand up, speak out with courage, and be willing to demonstrate the leadership required. This is what this moment demands, and so I ask you to condemn the abhorrent actions we witnessed this past week at our Capitol. I’m asking you to be what we teach our children be—upstanders who bravely do what is right.

I genuinely hope you will demonstrate character, decency, and leadership by passing a clear resolution condemning the insurrection we witnessed. I call on you to embrace how in Little Silver we do not exist in a bubble separate of national events, and reflect, in your actions and words, the ideal that in our town we appreciate how our lives are intertwined not only with those in our extended community, but nationally. Please show how we lead, especially when a moment like this requires it.

I believe it is of the utmost importance in your next council meeting to read out a resolution condemning Donald Trump, all who enabled and incited his followers, and those who stormed our Capitol building perpetrating acts of domestic terrorism, including overwhelming officers to enter the building with the explicit intent to not only disrupt the Congress’ act of counting the state-certified electoral votes, but to also terrorize and potentially kill our representatives. These insurrectionists desecrated the halls and our democracy, displayed hateful Nazi symbols, and as we are learning, were prepared and equipped to do even more. There are no “both sides” to this. There is no sideline.

Please pass a resolution to condemn these actions. You are our Little Silver governing body, who have sworn to oath uphold the rule of law and lead our town through all we encounter. We need you to showcase courage, clarity, and character. As we’ve heard so many times, especially recently, WORDS MATTER.

Please let your words matter. This is not the time to stay silent. We need you to lead.

Respectfully,

Amy Eklof