Embracing new people
On Thursday I found a flyer on a Facebook group that didn’t have a group name for an event that is scheduled for this weekend in our city. It’s been almost a year since we founding Community Together 417 and we try to keep a finger on the pulse of what is happening for the Community. So I took the time to reach out to the person that posted the event.
The gentleman responded to me quickly, accepting my friend request and we began to chat. His event is entitled “Save Our Children!” Now the very first thought was that there are anti-abortion groups that I have seen use that title in the past. So while we chatted, I listened and began searching for the title and other events.
After speaking to him I felt he was sincere, in that this is an event to protest child trafficking, abuse and to “advocate for child safety and justice”. So I posted the flyer on my own FB feed.
Quickly friends of mine began responding, some with the same concerns I also originally had. I explained that I looked into it and spoke to the organizer and felt he was sincere in the cause of protecting children. As others continued to respond to my post I dug a bit further. What I found was that indeed this is an event being held on April 11th in many cities across the country. There were videos inviting people to join to fight for the release of the Epstein files, there were posts focused on saving children from the horrible sex trafficking that has more and more come to light in our country but then I found something new.
I found a post about how “Save Our Children” are a part of a nationwide grassroots movement founding by activist Scott Ryan (“Scotty the Kid”). When digging into this I found that he openly supported QAnon which spread unhinged conspiracy theories about human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children by powerful liberal elites and so much more including LGTQIA+ rights.
It was at the point I took the post down. I spoke to the gentlemen explaining the situation and not only didn’t he know anything about the founder he assured me “that this is about trying to make a difference with child sex trafficking.” he said “I legit have no affiliation with that guy as I never heard of him”.
How do we heal as a country if we cannot build bridges with others? How do we find the strength to trust people outside of our own circles again? How do we welcome those that are trying to do the right thing with good intentions? It is going to take strength and courage, honestly and openness, welcoming and caution. But it can be done, if we always follow our hearts.