A coalition hosted the solidarity rally at MacDonald Park on Sunday to mobilize residents eager to speak out against hatred and racism. NY1's Lyndsay Christian filed this report.
Hundreds packed MacDonald Park on Sunday for a "Queens Stands Together" coalition rally, which was held as a celebration of diversity and inclusion.
The event's founder Ethan Felder and co-organizer, Mazeda Uddin, said the rally was much needed, as many have concerns about a national rhetoric that stigmatizes groups in Queens.
"We are already under attack: hate crimes, immigrants, Muslims bans and build a wall," Uddin said.
"I felt that it was urgent and necessary to have a solidarity rally to stand-up for Queens values, our diversity, our pluralism," Felder said.
Residents from across the borough of all ages, races and religions, raised their voices to speak out against intolerance and hate.
"All of this bigotry, and all of this misogyny, and homophobia, trans phobia, it's a problem, it's a problem and people like this exist," Forest Hills resident Celina Leung said.
So, along with community leaders and local elected officials, residents spread love in all forms.
"Love has no color, we could all live happily together, we all want the same thing for our children, for our family, we all have more in common than anything else," Rego Park resident Tanya Phillips said.
'Love not hate, makes America great' was chanted throughout the rally to send a message that the borough accepts all.
"We are not going to be divided and these policies and this rhetoric is not who we are," Felder said.
'Queens Stands Together' participants peacefully united for freedom and equality with hopes that their message will get to the White House.