Standing Together Against Hate: Not In Our Town's Three Decades of Community Action

​For three decades, Not In Our Town (NIOT) has empowered communities across the country to stand together against hate through grassroots organizing, creative initiatives, and sustainable networks for change. From visible inclusion campaigns in Delaware, to youth-driven art exhibits in Northport, to rapid responses against hate group threats in Bloomington-Normal, NIOT demonstrates how ordinary citizens can mobilize to protect their neighbors and strengthen democracy. With upcoming efforts like United Against Hate Week 2025, the organization continues to provide resources, toolkits, and national connections that help communities reject intolerance and foster belonging—read more in the blog post below.

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For thirty years, Not In Our Town (NIOT) has been at the forefront of community organizing against hate, demonstrating that grassroots action can create powerful ripple effects of change. As communities across the country face rising incidents of bias and intolerance, NIOT's network of local chapters continues to prove that ordinary citizens can take extraordinary action to protect their neighbors and strengthen democratic values.
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The organization's approach centers on a simple yet profound belief: communities have the power to reject hate and choose belonging. Through their network of local NIOT chapters, they provide tools, resources, and models for communities to respond proactively to incidents of bias while building the social infrastructure needed to prevent hate from taking root.

Community Action in Real Time

Recent initiatives across NIOT's network showcase the diversity and creativity of community-driven responses to hate. In Sussex County, Delaware, Speak Out Against Hate launched a comprehensive "hate has no home here" campaign featuring Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, spreading visible signs of inclusion across offices, businesses, and places of worship. This coordinated effort demonstrates how communities can create a unified message of welcome while engaging civic leaders at the highest levels.

Meanwhile, NIOT Northport took an innovative approach by partnering with Pridefest to present "The Art of Belonging," an art exhibit featuring work by young artists from grades K-12. By centering youth voices and creativity, this initiative not only celebrated diversity but also provided a platform for the next generation to express their vision of an inclusive community.
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When hate groups threatened to march at the Farmers Market in Bloomington-Normal, NIOT mobilized quickly to coordinate with city leaders and organize a "Say No to Hate" rally. Their response included engaging directly with the City Council and encouraging residents to take NIOT's pledge against intolerance and bigotry, demonstrating how communities can turn moments of threat into opportunities for democratic engagement.

Building Sustainable Networks for Change

What sets NIOT apart is their understanding that responding to hate requires both immediate action and long-term community building. Their upcoming United Against Hate Week, scheduled for October 19-25, 2025, exemplifies this dual approach by providing communities with toolkits, webinars, and coordination support while building connections across their national network.

The organization's commitment to sharing resources and strategies ensures that communities don't have to start from scratch when facing bias incidents. Whether through their comprehensive toolkits, community event calendars, or direct consultation support, NIOT creates pathways for communities to learn from each other's experiences and adapt successful models to their local contexts.
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This network approach aligns perfectly with NCDD's mission to strengthen democratic practice through connection and collaboration. By fostering dialogue across communities facing similar challenges, NIOT helps local leaders develop both the skills and confidence needed to facilitate difficult conversations and organize collective responses to hate.

Democracy in Action at the Grassroots Level

NIOT's work represents democracy at its most essential level—neighbors coming together to protect shared values and ensure that all community members can participate fully in civic life. Their emphasis on community organizing, public dialogue, and collaborative problem-solving creates the conditions for meaningful democratic participation while addressing urgent social justice concerns.

For NCDD's network of dialogue and deliberation practitioners, NIOT's model offers valuable insights into how community organizing can complement and strengthen facilitated dialogue work. Their approach demonstrates how communities can move beyond conversation toward coordinated action while maintaining focus on inclusion, equity, and democratic values.

The organization's three-decade track record provides both inspiration and practical guidance for communities seeking to build resilience against hate while fostering cultures of belonging. Their work reminds us that democracy is not a spectator sport—it requires active participation from citizens willing to stand up for their values and protect their neighbors.

Ready to join a network of communities committed to rejecting hate and building belonging? Learn more about Not In Our Town's resources, upcoming United Against Hate Week, and how to connect with or start a local NIOT chapter at their website: https://www.niot.org/ .
​Together, we can ensure that hate has no home in our communities.