Photo courtesy David Greenfield
In response to the tragedy at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the AHRC hosted a Hate Has No Home Solidarity and Action Gathering to come together in support of the Jewish, immigrant and refugee communities and in action against hatred and bigotry of all forms. The event at the Town Hall Garden on November 1st drew hundreds of people who came to light a candle, write a letter of support to the Squirrel Hill Jewish community in Pittsburgh, and contribute ideas about how we can stand up to hate in our community and in the world. We distributed over 150 Hate Has No Home signs and bumper stickers and gave away social justice themed books donated by the Jewish Community Center’s PJ LIbrary Program. Speakers included AHRC Co-Chairs Naomi Greenfield and Dave Swanson, State Senator Cindy Friedman, Arlington Select Board member Joe Curro and Anti-Defamation League Assistant Regional Director Dan Levenson. Cantor Lisa Doob led the community in song and spiritual reflection. At the end of the event, the AHRC collected all the letters written and assembled them in a book that was sent to the Jewish Federation in Pittsburgh. Though we wish we did not have these kinds of tragedies to respond to, the AHRC knows that providing a space for gathering and action following a human rights tragedy like this is crucial for the healing of the community.
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