Stop Hate in Henry County

One of the things I love the most about living in Henry County is the sense of community, of caring.  People here extend a hand to help one another & provide support for each other and local businesses.  It’s nothing to walk into Serenity Salon & see business cards for East Side Auto Repair, or to visit S&R Feed and hear about a sale Butler & Harbor is having; or to go shopping at T.F Rice’s and find soaps made by the one of the owners at Healthy Thyme Health food.  There’s a sense of oneness, honoring the community & each other.  It’s a big part of what makes living in Henry County so wonderful. We have a gift, a blessing, and a sense of belonging, of camaraderie, of support & of community here that needs to be honored, valued and continued. 

Last week that sense of community was horribly and brutally violated. 

Imagine getting ready to close your business at the end of the day & a last minute customer coming into your store.  As you’re offering to help them, you’re attacked & hit from behind.  Now imagine the fear you feel lying there as two more assailants enter your business and begin kicking and beating you.  One throws gasoline all over the room, setting it on fire.  Something deep in your soul fears you’ll be the next thing to burn.  Close your eyes and imagine lying there on the floor. 

Before you start to think this couldn’t happen to you, remember that hate comes in many forms.  This was an attack rooted in hatred, it could happen to any minority, anyone, anywhere, for any reason.  It’s my understanding that the local police have yet to find any leads or to even have a sketch artist meet with Mr. Williams. 

It’s up to us to keep awareness going of this horrible crime until the perpetrators have been captured & face justice for their actions.  In failing to capture these criminals, Henry County is sending a message that it will tolerate violence & robbery against local business owners.  If we don’t stand together as a community to stop violent crime, who will be next?  Who will be beaten?  What store will be robbed? 

Failing to catch these criminals will send a message that violating our community is okay so stand up, make your voice heard & sign the petition to Stop Hate in Henry County.