Attendess listen to one of several spekers during the March 9 Not in Our Town event at Illinois Wesleyan University. (Photo courtesy of Not in Our Town)

On March 9, McLean County residents gathered at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Hansen Center for a “Not In Our Town” sponsored event, “Stop the Hate.”

Because of the recent shootings and attacks in the United States on South Asian Americans and threats against Jewish Americans, Not In Our Town held the gathering to build community unity and to reassure those different groups impacted that McLean County residents stood with them.

“As a South Asian community, we are tense and apprehensive,” Illinois State University professor Archana Shekara said in the days leading up to the event. Shekara is the immediate past-president of the McLean County India Association.  “We appreciate Not In Our Town and the community coming together to affirm our positive presence in McLean County and to uphold our rights within this country.”

Illinois State University professor Archana Shekara speaks at the Not in Our Town event held March 9 at Illinois Wesleyan University. The event was held in wake of racially-charged attacks happening throughout the country. (Photo courtesy of Not in Our Town)

Shekara estimates there are over 5,000 South Asians in Bloomington-Normal.

Various faith leaders, immigrants from diverse backgrounds and area high school students spoke during the event.

McLean County residents fill the Hansen Center at Illinois Wesleyan University for a “Stop the Hate” event sponsored by the group Not in Our Town on March 9. (Photo courtesy of Not in Our Town)

—  McLean residents gather to Stop the Hate and spread tolerance —