August 15, 2017
Dear LABC,
I return from vacation with a heavy heart. The events that occurred over the weekend in Charlottesville, VA, while not surprising, are distressing. They stand as a stark reminder of how far we still have to go in order claim that there is liberty and justice for all in the United States of America. This past Sunday I was asked to draft a statement concerning the events for the Interfaith Council of Alameda County. What follows is the statement I wrote which the ICAC board ultimately endorsed. I look forward to seeing you this coming Sunday.
Jim H.
Charlottesville Statement From The Interfaith Council of Alameda County
A press release issued by the Washington D.C based Interfaith Alliance begins ” The bigotry and violence on display in Charlottesville, Virginia must be denounced by all political leaders in no uncertain terms. It’s unthinkable that in 2017 we would see crowds of torch-wielding white supremacists and neo-Nazis proudly displaying their swastikas and Confederate flags on the University of Virginia campus.”
We, the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, concur with this statement and broaden it to include a call to all religious leaders to denounce both radicalized violence and all theologies of white supremacy.
Unlike some who blame “many sides” for the violence between the anti-racist protestors and white supremacist in Charlottesville, ICAC repudiates the white supremacists, neo-Nazis and members of the Ku Klux Klan who organized the “Unite the Right rally for their violent tactics.
As we repudiate the abhorrent beliefs and actions of the white supremacists we call on our own communities to embody the commitments to justice, humility, service and diversity that are at the heart of our faith traditions.
Further, we mourn the deaths of Heather Heyer, who was protesting the presence of the hateful groups in her community, and Virginia state troopers, Jay Cullen and Berke Bates, who died in the line of service.
Together, let us call on the resources of our spiritual traditions and work for a county, state and nation in which there is indeed liberty and justice for all.
The Interfaith Council of Alameda County
The mission of the Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC) is to promote mutual respect, understanding and engagement among the county’s diverse faith traditions, to mobilize people to serve their community, support religious freedoms, and to promote interfaith organizations and activities.
Prayers of the Congregation
- Carol Travis, Summit Hospital
- Katrina Lau, Fremont Hospital
- Whitley Joachim (shoulder surgery)
- Daniel and Betty Stroberger for Haiti
- Cecil for his sister Carolyn (health)
- Anthony Marshall and Leslyn Henry
- Sandra Dunn (health)
- Robert Wilkins (health)
- Warren and Camille Parker
- Our students, teachers and school employees as the academic year begins
- The LABC Sanctuary Working Group
- LABC’s Aspire and Achieve Mission
- Our nation as it pursues justice in the aftermath of Charlottesville
- LABC’s Earth Justice Task Force
- The people of New Orleans
- Terecita Arciaga (health)