BEACON, N.Y. -- Alfredo Pacheco says he has been the victim of hate and discrimination his whole life, but now he's ready to stand up to it, joining a new movement in the Hudson Valley.
"I think this is the moment for everybody to come out and say something about it,” said Pacheco, a member of Community Voices Heard.
He was one of dozens that came out for an assembly on Hudson Valley Hate Free Zone on Saturday.
Created last month, it's a network of people and institutions committed to standing up against hate.
“So many of us are dealing with all sorts of discriminations and all of our communities are unrepresented," said Dominique Suddith, of Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson. "We need people to come together and make a change.”
The event was organized by Community Voices Heard and Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson.
Organizers say the assembly was a chance to discuss solutions on getting rid of hate in their communities. Their focus is supporting immigrants, all races, genders, religion and the LGBTQ community.
“We are all going to stick together and we’re going to protect each other,” Suddith said.
With a new administration set to take office next week in Washington, many in attendance say communities need to be united and prepared for the challenges ahead.
“We are not alone," said Maria Jaime, of Hudson Valley Community Coalition. "We are not alone in our community and we will be expanding this moving forward.”
“It doesn't matter what color or race you are, you are a human being and you deserve to be treated as equal as everybody else,” Pacheco said.