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Residents defend Speak Up for Palestine at Brighton board meeting after Jewish Federation letter
Summary
Multiple Brighton residents used the open‑forum portion of the July 8 Town Board meeting to reject a letter from the Jewish Federation of Rochester that accused local protesters of intimidation, urging the board to uphold First Amendment protections and calling for a measured town response.
At the July 8 Brighton Town Board meeting, several residents told the board they believe a recent letter from the Jewish Federation of Rochester unfairly characterized local protesters at 12 Corners and wrongly accused them of intimidation.
“Nancy Howe said the letter was 'slanderous' and that Speak Up for Palestine has never blocked, intimidated or treated anyone disrespectfully,” said Nancy Howe, who identified herself as living in Irondequoit. “We have First Amendment rights that we expect the town of Brighton to uphold.”
Julie Gelfand, who said she is a member of Jewish Voice for Peace and lives in Brighton, told the board she had reviewed the town code and concluded that the Friday rallies at 12 Corners have operated with valid permits. “There is a valid permit for the weekly rally,” she said, adding that some protesters choose to stand across the street on the sidewalk where no permit is required.
Several other speakers echoed that defense. Kim Nelson described long‑running protest activity in Monroe County and offered documentary materials for the public record; Olivia Bailey, who said the U.N. has characterized the situation in Gaza as genocide, said protesters are peaceful and that accusations of antisemitism are being misapplied; and Robert McFarland recounted personal experiences and said he rejects being labeled antisemitic for opposing atrocities abroad.
Other public commenters, including Rachel Rosner and Robin Wilt, urged the board to respond publicly to the federation's letter and pressed for transparency about recent developments, including a separate issue raised at the meeting: an anonymous $25,000 donation to the Brighton Police Department.
Supervisor Bill Maly thanked speakers for their comments but did not announce a formal board response during the meeting. He reminded the public that the board’s open forum is for letters and comments and that the town will follow established procedures for matters that require staff review or formal action.
