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The pledges culminated the YWCA's weeklong series of events designed to raise public awareness about racism and discrimination. This year the YWCA held its first Stand Against Racism Film Festival at the Darien Library, where all week films dealing with discrimination were shown.
Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson led the first reading of the Pledge Against Racism in a ceremony Friday morning at Darien Town Hall.
"Racism has no place in modern society, particularly in a place like Darien," Stevenson said. "For us as town leaders to say the words and to share those words with the rest of the community so that the community understands our leadership exemplifies a stand against racism, I think, is very important, particularly in a bipartisan fashion."
"As long as there's racism or injustice of any kind, I'll keep standing," said Darien Selectman Christopher Hall.
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling led a second reading of the pledge later Friday at Norwalk City Hall.
"I don't think everybody really understands the impact that racism has on the individuals who experience it," Rilling said. "Racism is not gone, you still see it in certain areas of society. I think we should all pledge to do our best here, and if we see something, we should say something to let others know that we won't tolerate bullying or racism any time, any place."
"The YWCA's mission is to empower women and eliminate racism," said Julie Forsyth of the YWCA Darien/Norwalk. "It's important both nationally as well as locally to highlight how racism is a part of daily life and to speak up and do more to raise awareness, so that we can live in a world that judges people on the content of their character."
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