Moulton vows to promote equality

MARBLEHEAD – U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton spoke Monday at the Jewish Community Center in Marblehead to the Anti-Defamation League of the North Shore, telling the group that he is committed to ensuring equal treatment for all, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.?I was very impressed,” said Robert Trestan, New England Regional Director of the ADL. “It is very clear that his experience as a veteran, and as someone who has fought for our country in the Middle East, translates into very strong advocacy in Congress.?He was very forthright and open about the challenges he?s facing in Congress,” Trestan said. “And we were very pleased to hear his concerns over Iran, and his hopes to ensure that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons.”?I thought he was very transparent,” said Rhonda Gilberg, chair of ADL?s North Shore Advisory Committee. “He was very forthright on the issues, and very interested in making a difference on the issues.”Moulton, who has been outspoken about issues of equality since being sworn in as the 6th District congressman in January, reiterated his views Monday.?He is very up-front about issues of equality, and the importance of ensuring that no one in our country is discriminated against in any form,” Trestan said. “It?s important for us to have a leader in Congress who is willing to articulate that view.”Moulton also spoke about his first five months in Washington, ranging from his local focus on economic development and job creation to his impression of important international security challenges in the Middle East, Europe and beyond.?He said he?s sort of getting to know the ropes,” said Gilberg. “He has many issues that are important to him, such as veterans, the military, building up communities.?And,” she said, “he talked a lot about Lynn. Lynn in particular is very important to him.”As for the Middle East, “he said that ISIS is definitely a threat, and that what the United States is doing over there now is great. But he said we need to figure out a long-term solution.?I think everyone in the room came away with a good impression of him,” Gilberg said. “He wanted to learn more about the ADL and its mission. He?s very interested in equality and social justice and especially bringing social initiatives to Lynn.”Also in attendance were state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, Marblehead Police Chief Robert Picariello and Swampscott Police Chief Ron Madigan.The ADL?s mission, Gilberg said, is to ensure equality and justice for all, and to combat anti-Semitism, or discrimination, against any race, religion, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation.?He was very interested in our mission,” she said. “We educated him on it, and we both agreed that a partnership would come about as a result of this.”