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August 19, 2017

Interfaith Council of Western Massachusetts releases statement on Charlottesville

REGIONAL
Staff report

People sit by a memorial of flowers in Charlottesville, Va., Aug. 14, where an Aug. 12 car attack took place against counter-protesters demonstrating at a rally of white nationalists. (CNS photo/Justin Ide, Reuters) 

 

CHICOPEE — In the wake of events in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Interfaith Council of Western Massachusetts has released a statement rejecting racism, white supremacy, neo-Nazism and proclaiming solidarity with the Leaders and citizens of Charlottesville. The statement is signed by Martin Pion, president of the council and professor of religion at Our Lady of the Elms College, here.

Following is the text of the statement:

“I am writing on behalf of the Interfaith Council of Western Massachusetts/Greater Springfield. Our council includes representatives from the Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian, Buddhist and Baha’i faith communities. We have met regularly and worked together for decades.

“The Interfaith Council condemns the violence and brutal attack by White Supremacists and neo-Nazis against peaceful protesters in Charlottesville, Va., over the past weekend. It was an ugly and horrific show of hatred, and fundamentally against the soul of our country. There is no place for such bigotry and hatred in our nation. 

“We, the members of the Interfaith Council, add our voice in condemnation of acts of violence against peaceful protesters. We call upon the President to clearly and in the strongest of terms, denounce the actions of the racist and hate-filled groups that committed this violence.

“We offer our sympathies and condolences to the victims of this act of terrorism and to their families. We also stand in solidarity with the City of Charlottesville.”

The Interfaith Council also has spoken out recently against the rising tide of anti-Muslim rhetoric, hate crimes and attacks, and has held panel discussions examining various issues from the perspectives of multiple faiths.

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