BRATTLEBORO — To my friends, my family, my community, and people I do not know who fear for their safety and for the stability of their family, I want to say a few words:
You are not alone.
You do not live in a country where the majority of people feel you do not belong.
You are not marginal.
I am here, and will always support you, and I will stand up for you, your family, and your rights. And I am not alone. There are millions of us who love you, who support you, and who will stand up for you, your family, and your rights.
In this season of darkening hours, we spend more time at home, inevitably with our thoughts, our hopes, and our fears. When you sit in that place, know that you are not alone.
You might feel scared, angry, sad, and unsure. You might feel that your core has been shaken and your foundation has been threatened. But you are not alone.
I am here, millions of us are here, and while none of us truly knows what might come, know that we will find out together - and that we will fight it together if needed.
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I do not trivialize your feelings. I have been scared before, shaken and feeling unsafe in my own home. And I will fight for you, or listen to you, or hold you. Millions of others will, too.
Yes, some people are coming out of the shadows, using this election as an excuse to be hateful. I have seen the photos and watched the videos that have been captured over the last few days. I have read the slurs and the threats. And they sickened me and saddened me.
But they did not scare me.
It's OK if they scared you. We will come together and be stronger than ever before. More united.
Hate will not make itself welcome here. Hate will not be allowed to live in the light. Those using hate as their communication will remain in the shadows.
Stand tall even with shaken knees, and walk knowing that you are loved. We are the light. You are the light.