As faith leaders in the Franklin community, Rev. Bonnie Stagg, Rev. Kate Harmon Siberine and I reach out to share our sense of horror and disgust at the increasing public expressions of antisemitism and anti-blackness in our community. Two weeks ago another incident of hateful graffiti was scrawled and scarred our public spaces, this time at Mill City Park. As people of faith dedicated to love of neighbor, we stand against hate wherever it appears. What we write on the walls of our city is just one expression of division that goes to the heart of us that we must work actively to correct. We are committed to the continued work of reform and repentance that must be done so that people of all races and religions may be assured of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
On August 17, 1790, President George Washington visited the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island. In response to his visit and reiterating words that were shared with him by Jewish leaders, he declared this defining commitment, that the government and people of this nation give โto bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.โ To remain silent is to fail to support our neighbors when they need us most. At a time of a resurgence of hatred, we as people of faith stand for love. Let Franklin continue to do the work of welcome so that all may truly be at home in our great city.
Ariel Aaronson-Eves
Canterbury