Cleveland Clergy Declare “Not on Our Watch, Not in Our town!” to Hate-Filled Violence in the Wake of the Charlottesville Tragedy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2017
CONTACT
Michelle Nealy, mnealy@faithinpubliclife.org, (202) 735-7123
Dan Clark, dclark@faithinpubliclife.org, (614) 648-3663
Cleveland Clergy Declare “Not on Our Watch, Not in our town!” to Hate-Filled Violence in the Wake of the Charlottesville Tragedy
Cleveland, Ohio — On Monday, August 14th, diverse and prominent faith leaders gathered at City Hall to declare “Not on our watch! Not in our town!” to hate, racism, bigotry, white supremacy and violence.
Bishop Tony Minor, Community of Faith Assembly:
“We are sad, and we are angry about the recent events in Charlottesville. We as a people of faith know and understand that God has called us to have a world of love and peace. We are here to say ‘not on our watch’ and “not in our town!”
Rev. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ:
“On behalf of the United Church of Christ’s 5,000 churches and 1 million members, I stand in solidarity with all people of faith who represent love. White supremacy is an aberration of Christianity’s sacred teachings. The United Church of Christ will resist any effort orchestrated by our government to create safe space for white supremacists, nazis, and paramilitary vigilantes. We are committed to love of neighbor and building a just world for all.”
Rabbi Allison Van, Suburban Temple:
“Hatred is not welcome in our town. Bigotry is not welcome in Cleveland. Racism is not welcome in Ohio City. Hatred is not welcome in Shaker Heights. Racism is not welcome in Avon Lake. What is welcome? Understanding, learning, respectful disagreement are welcome here. Love, you are welcome here.”
Bishop Larry Macon, Mt. Zion of Oakwood Village:
“The voice we need to hear at this time is that of a crying mother who lost her heroic daughter who wanted to quietly and nonviolently stand against the evil of white nationalism. Our love and prayers go out to the family and friends of 32 year old Heather Heyer.”
Imam Khalid Samad, Peace in the Hood:
“We bear witness that God is one. His creation is one. And we are one. Many of us are logical and rationally thinking people. All of us who are of faith perspectives have always concluded that all of us are one and there is no supreme human being.”
Rev. Ken Chalker, University United Methodist Church:
“You’ve probably noticed that I’m a white guy. And it’s important for white people to recognize how much we have benefited in this land simply by our whiteness. We need to give thanks for the colorful witness that is represented here today. We do not just show up in the midst of crisis. We show up every day to proclaim this message: love is greater than hate!”
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