Open Harvest Member Owners for Justice

I was thinking about becoming a member but this isnt the Open Harvest I believe in.

As a member of the coop I want to see some action on this matter

Very disappointed in the board’s non-action. “Silence is violence”.

This is a call to do the work, to listen & follow those most impacted, to dismantle white supremacist systems in self, systems & spaces, and ultimately to create a community of accountability.

Thank you Wally for inviting us to email the board. Please know that private communication will not deter my public comments. Beyond disappointed.

Please take the time to read through all the comments to see Mr Brockley's statement. In general it is a good idea to hear both sides of the story before forming an opinion, especially in this time of social upheaval and cancel culture. Think how horrible it would be to be ,"cancelled" without people bothering to hear your side of the story.

You must take action on this. If a place like Open Harvest doesn't, how would we expect any other grass roots or ordinary business to? Act aggressively and quickly, and make no excuses.

Written collectively by our Board of Directors in early June: to the ongoing conversation in our community regarding diversity and racism, the Open Harvest Board of Directors has issued the following statement: The murder of George Floyd is not an isolated occurrence. Systemic racism continues to infect our society and we must not tolerate a culture where such horrific acts are possible. As a board we must take action to dismantle systemic racism and create a more inclusive and equitable culture that welcomes, values and empowers all people. Read more here: https://openharvest.coop/important-message-from-our-board/

Please let Ross B let go, I will have to stop going there if he continues to be a problem

NO JUSTICE NO PEACE

If Open Harvest wants to foster community in Lincoln, it must take a stand against those who would harm members of that community.

How could this go on this long?!

These are very reasonable demands, they need to be headed swiftly!

Black Lives Matter!

I keep hearing about this place from friends. Sounds like they have a great selection and I like that are open early for seniors! I will definitely check them out and possibly get a membership. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Here's a list of the current board members as shown on their website: https://openharvest.coop/board/ I have read the information above and definitely believe if there is injustice in a place like Open Harvest it should be rectified. Many of us are members there because we feel they are working hard to serve the Lincoln Community in a responsible and just way. I love the new support of local non-profits they've implemented by rounding your bill up at the cash register. That simple act of support for the community seems counter productive to allowing someone like Ross Brockley to be a member of their co-op.

I stand in solidarity with the Jewish and BIPOC community.

As an on and off long time member for the past several decades and also as a past board member, I am appalled at how the current board has handled this situation. We can't condone or support anyone through the coop who is a known antisemitic. I am appalled he was allowed on the board at all while he openly touts his beliefs. There were several Jewish board members at the time I served. We would not have let this slip through.

I love OH, but I will be watching closely how they respond to determine if they will continue to earn my support and business.

Ross Brockley is extremely vocal about his views regarding Jewish people, women and all minority groups. He was overheard spewing filth at The Oven a few years ago and it was so horrible, I left the restaurant. He makes no secret of his views and espouses hatred regularly. I am positive the board members were always aware of this considering it seems to be his mission to spread his hate to anyone and everyone. If they didn't put a stop to it, they have in fact encouraged and supported it. His 5 minutes of fame blinds people to his true nature or gives him a free pass, either of which is wrong. Due to his involvement in the Co-Op I am no longer giving them my money which is sad since I have been going there all of my life. 27th and Randolph was our store growing up but I can't continue to patronize a store that supports hatred and violence, which, they do by not taking action against hate monger Brockley. I am beyond disappointed in the store I used to love. Pretty sad situation and the board should be embarrassed to support anyone who believes the holocaust was a lie (and Ross Brockley firmly believes this).