United Monroe calls last Sunday's rally a success

MONROE — United Monroe officials said they felt last Sunday's outreach to the Kiryas Joel community "went better than we expected," with many KJ residents saying they appreciated their efforts and supported their work.

"It illuminated for us that there are many citizens in Kiryas Joel who silently support our efforts at preventing the annexation, at speaking out against fraudulent elections, by opposing the town board and the leaders of KJ who clearly doesn't represent us, and that we are similarly oppressed by our respective governments," Emily Convers, United Monroe's chairperson, wrote in an email to The Photo News. "The difference is that United Monroe volunteers feel more empowered to speak out. The citizens of Kiryas Joel fear their government."

About 25 people handed out flyers to residents under Moses Witriol, KJ's director of public safety, watched, Convers wrote.

"He was present at the 'Park and Ride' where our volunteers met and organized," she wrote. "Witriol had one of his employees photographing our license plates. Witriol followed us to the shopping plaza and after about 15 minutes, he asked us to leave stating that the shopping district was 'privately owned' and the owner doesn't want us there because we're 'intimidating the shoppers.' This couldn't be farther from the truth. People were happily taking our flyers and there were no issues."

Convers said Witriol told them the State Police would be called if necessary.

United Monroe officials eventually later found out the village owns the property by checking tax maps. But they never received an answer as to why license plates were being photographed.

"The common theme, after speaking with the other volunteers from United Monroe that day, was that our interaction with the KJ citizens was a very positive experience and we hope to continue this method of outreach to inform our neighbors that we look forward to an end to the corruption, fraud, abuse and hopefully can begin the process, together, of creating good government for all of the citizens of Monroe," Convers wrote.

Convers also said she has received phone calls and emails from KJ residents after Sunday's event "telling us what a great impression we made and what a relief it was for many people to know that United Monroe doesn't hate them."