Congresswoman Shontel Brown Brings Northeast Ohio Leaders Together to Confront Hate and Build Unity

Beachwood, OH – Today, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) hosted a briefing with community leaders from across Northeast Ohio in response to the increasing incidents of hate and intolerance, including the burning of books on Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ topics from the Beachwood Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library last month.

Last week, Congresswoman Brown attended the Cleveland Stands Against Hate rally hosted by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and spoke on the House floor about the incident in Beachwood and efforts to erase marginalized voices nationwide. 

The briefing created space for a candid conversation among leaders from impacted communities, followed by a press conference where Brown and participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to making Northeast Ohio a more inclusive, respectful, and welcoming place for all. The discussion brought together representatives from Black, Jewish, Immigrant, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ communities, reflecting the broad coalition of voices standing united against hate and intolerance.

During her remarks, Brown pointed to the troubling rise of extremism from book burnings and bomb threats to neo-Nazi marches and called out the rhetoric and policies of former President Trump, which attack diversity, erase Black history, and embolden those with dangerous ideologies. 

“Today, at the MLK Branch, we stood in the spirit of Dr. King’s call to confront hate with moral clarity. What happened at the Beachwood Library was not an isolated act—it’s part of the frightening increase in hatred, bigotry and division. We’re here to draw a line in the sand and say: not in our community. Northeast Ohio will stand united against hate, in all its forms” said Congresswoman Brown.

Following the briefing, Congresswoman Brown joined Ohio State Representative Eric Synenberg, Dr. Kelly Fishman of the Anti-Defamation League, Phyllis Harris of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, Edwin Hubbard of the Cleveland NAACP, and Lee C. Shapiro of the American Jewish Committee – Cleveland to underscore their unified stance against hate and their commitment to ensuring Northeast Ohio remains a community rooted in inclusion, equity, and respect.

“We must stand together and say: Not here. Not now. Not ever,” said Brown. 

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