Jill Paperno’s Call to Action Regarding Mike Flynn and his Extremist “Reawaken America” Tour Coming to Rochester

 In reaction to Michael Flynn, retired US Army lieutenant general and National Security Advisor for the first 22 days of the Trump administration, coming to the Rochester area in August with his  Reawaken America tour, Jill Paperno sent the following note to community leaders. She hopes to gather enough support to stop this outpouring of extremist and racist rhetoric from happening in Rochester.

Dear Members of our Community: 

I am writing to you because you are a leader within the Greater Rochester area who has at some point (or on more than one occasion) spoken out and acted against hate.  And I am writing to you to alert you to an event planned to take place in Rochester.  I believe our community must try to prevent this event, and if we cannot, we must try to respond to demonstrate that this hate tour is not welcome here.  

On August 12 and 13, the anniversary of the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” event, Retired General Michael Flynn, a right wing purveyor of xenophobia, is bringing his “Reawaken  America” tour here.  Here is a link to the event:  https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/reawaken-america-tour/  

This may be the only New York event, drawing attendees from across the state, and perhaps across the northeast.  I believe this event and others like it are used to build and fuel the growing racist, antisemitic, anti-Muslim, hate-filled anti-immigrant movement around this country.  I believe that this movement contributed to the racist massacre in Buffalo and other violent incidents around the country.  I am hopeful that we can join together to prevent this local gathering.  

Here are some articles and opinion pieces about the tour:

• https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/opinion/2022/04/15/oregon-leaders-rolled-out-red-carpet-hate-reawaken-america-tour/65350085007/

• https://timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2022/04/07/right-wing-reawaken-america-tour-brought-irreligious-abomination-to-san-diego/

• https://wordandway.org/2022/04/08/christian-leaders-denounce-reawaken-america-tour/

Here is an article about Retired General Flynn:

• https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2022/0428/Disgraced-general-to-far-right-hero-Michael-Flynn-rides-the-next-wave

The event is planned for the Armory on Main Street.  The owner of the Armory is Scott Donaldson.  His email is scottrmsa@gmail.com.  

Yesterday, when I learned of this event, I called the telephone number for the Armory.  When I began to speak, the man who answered told me to “eff off”.  I do not know if that was Mr. Donaldson.  I emailed Mr. Donaldson with my concerns about the event.  I emailed County Executive Bello, Mayor Evans, and Chamber of Commerce CEO Duffy.  I asked whether there were tax benefits granted to the Armory that could be used to leverage Mr. Donaldson to not allow this venue to be used.  My goal is to make any venue in our community one that will not welcome this program.  

I also called Aaron’s Alley.  Aaron’s Alley and House of Guitars are two stores that are used as ticket outlets for other Armory events.  I think they may have some ability to use their relationship to pressure Mr. Donaldson not to hold this event.  I did not reach anyone at House of Guitars and will keep trying.  The employee at Aaron's Alley said she would speak to her manager.  Aaron's Alley is not selling tickets to the event - they must be obtained online, and you must enter a phone number which the organizers can call before you will be issued tickets.  (I tried to see what the process was.) 

I posted my emails, and the phone numbers and contact information for the two stores and Mr. Donaldson on Social Media and encouraged my contacts to urge those with influence and Mr. Donaldson to stop the event.  

Yesterday, I also contacted Integrity First for America, the organization that successfully sued the hate groups and individuals responsible for the violence that occurred in Charlottesville.  They sent me a link to a booklet and said they would be back in touch with other suggestions. 

Here is a link to Integrity First:  

• https://www.integrityfirstforamerica.org/

Here is a link to the booklet, “A Community Guide for Opposing Hate”:

• https://bcsh.bard.edu/files/2022/05/OpposingHateGuide-single-pages-8M-5-3.pdf

I am hoping that our community may join together to oppose the presence of this rally and/or respond.  While I am asking that we try to convene a coalition, I am not seeking to lead the group if others want to, or determine how we should respond, though I am happy to help or take whatever role is necessary.  I am hoping to generate action, but recognize my view of how to respond may not be shared by all.  Please feel free to share this email with others in your network.

Please let me know if you are interested in creating a coalition to respond to this event.

Thank you for all you do.

Very truly yours,

Jill Paperno