Heart of LA Democratic Club Statement on The Tree of Life Synagogue Massacre
The massacre of the innocent people at The Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh has been identified as the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the United States. Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this horrific terrorist attack. We grieve alongside them as we try to make sense of the unimaginable.
The Anti-Defamation League reports that there was nearly a 60 percent rise in anti-Semitic incidents in 2017, “the largest single-year increase on record and the second highest number reported since ADL started tracking such data in 1979 (ADL).“
We’ve witnessed these incidents in Charlottesville, and at right-wing political rallies. We’ve heard the current president call Nazis “good people,” and last week he called himself a “nationalist,” a term straight from Nazi-Germany. We cannot help but look at this as a direct call to attack vulnerable religious, racial, ethnic and marginalized communities, which includes Jewish, African-American, Latino, Muslim, and LGBTQ people.
As our hearts ache for the lives lost and the families destroyed by the terrorist act which resulted in incomprehensible tragedy, one thing is certain: there is no place for this violence and hate in America.
During times of grief, it can be hard to consider what will move our country forward. However, we have an urgent opportunity to fight hate, anti-Semitism and discrimination by voting for Democrats next Tuesday, November 6th. The election of more progressives to places of power will help put a check on the hate-filled rhetoric that’s fueling extremism in America.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- CANDLELIGHT VIGIL For those who live on the Westside in the Culver City area, there will be a vigil Tuesday, October 30 at 6:30PM Join friends and neighbors in Lindbergh Park (5041 Rhoda Way, Culver City, CA 90230). There will be a candlelight vigil and a walk to Temple Akiba (5249 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230) and back. Bring candles, tinfoil to catch wax drippings, walking shoes. All welcome.