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Ohio Faith Leaders and Residents Condemn Ohio Congressman’s Anti-Semitic Tweet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, January 13, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT

Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, (540) 280-3393

Ohio Faith Leaders and Residents Condemn Ohio Congressman’s Anti-Semitic Tweet

West Chester, Ohio – Congressman Warren Davidson of Ohio’s 8th district tweeted a picture of a Nazi document while making the comparison of the Holocaust to Covid-19 health and safety protocols. 

Now, faith leaders and residents in Springfield, Middletown and Dayton are condemning Rep. Davidson’s actions. 

Rev. Dr. Carl Ruby, Senior Pastor, Central Christian Church, Springfield:

“I’m extremely disappointed in Congressman Davidson’s post comparing Washington, D.C.’s COVID restrictions to Nazi Germany. It reflects a sad trend on the far right of making more and more extreme and incendiary statements to stir their base and raise funds, rather than doing the serious work of developing realistic solutions that work for Ohioans. COVID is a serious problem that has taken the lives of over 400 people in Springfield, including members of my congregation. I hope that he will apologize for the post and begin working toward realistic solutions that serve the health needs of his constituents.”

Rev. Michael A. Bailey, Sr., Senior Pastor, Faith United Church, Middletown:

“Warren Davison’s comment is from the pit of hell! He needs to repent and apologize to the Jewish community and to all the residents of our district!”

Judy Feinstein, Member of Temple Anshe Emeth, Piqua:

“In my experience, antisemitism is always just below the surface in rural and small town Ohio. It is most distressing to Jewish constituents that Congressman Davidson would compare Nazi behavior to current efforts to stop the spread of this virus. As we have seen in the recent past, it doesn’t take much to normalize and encourage violence against minorities.”

Rev. Richard P. Young, Living Beatitudes Community, Dayton:

“Rep. Davidson apparently objects to requirements that are intended to protect the population from COVID19. How I wish that he (and those who think as he does) would voluntarily take steps to improve public safety: vaccination, mask-wearing, social distancing. Nobody likes to be told what to do, but no one has a right to engage in behavior that could put others in danger. There is nothing loving or Christ-like about defaming those who are striving to protect the lives of others.” 

Lisa Lenard, Concerned Resident of Ohio’s 8th District and Faith Leader, Springfield:

“The vaccine card reads, in part: “Present to the doctor in case of illness.” It has nothing to do with fascism and everything to do with an individual’s health. When I entered public school in 1974 in Springfield, Ohio, I had to show proof of vaccinations, as did my own children in the 1990s. Why are you making a political issue out of something that has been a part of American life for decades? You are risking the lives of your constituents and everyone around you in the midst of the greatest public health crisis in the last 100 years. Go get vaccinated and tweet about that!”

Peggy Hanna, Concerned Resident of Ohio’s 8th District, Springfield:

“I am concerned by Rep. Davidson’s horrifying tweet comparing our government’s attempt to control the pandemic to the Nazis. I can’t believe he could even think such a thing let alone publicize it. I’m 80 years old and remember when the Polio vaccine was made available and how happy and grateful we were as a country. Thank God no one back then pushed such lies and misinformation. I believe in God and in science. I pray that Rep. Davidson would please open his mind and heart.”

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