Coalition Against Hate calls for renewed commitment to struggle against hate, fear

Coalition is comprised of lawmakers, religious and civil groups

PA Against Hate    October 27, 2020 | 3:22 PM

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27 – As Pennsylvania again mourns the anti-Semitic attack in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh two years ago, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Hate today called upon the state legislature to remember and reflect on this moment, and to take action to strengthen Pennsylvania’s hate crime laws to prevent future tragedies.

“Two years ago, we witnessed the brutal murder of 11 people when a person, guided by hate, attacked Pittsburgh’s Jewish community. Today, we mourn with our friends and neighbors as we remember those whose lives were taken that day. We will never forget that horrific day, and the shock we felt as the news of the attack reverberated around our commonwealth and nation.

“The struggle against fear and hate is as old as humanity and is one that takes place in each of our hearts. It is the manifestation of a great evil, one that is not meant to just break flesh and bone, but spirit as well. And the long struggle against this evil continues today. We face this struggle each and every day, and each and every day we gain a victory when we choose love, and not fear.

“Today we call upon our elected leaders to embrace that struggle and to join with us in remembering those we have lost, to reflect on the tragedies of the past and recommit ourselves to fighting for a better future.

“We cannot legislate what is in a person’s heart, but we can lead by example. We can protect the rights of every citizen under our Constitution and stand up for the values they enshrine: That all people are created equal. Our nation has for centuries fought for and strived to live up to this ideal. Today, let us renew and recommit ourselves to this task, in honor and memory of all of those who have lost their lives on this long march toward justice, toward peace and toward equality.”

Signed,

The Coalition Against Hate

  • Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny
  • Sen. Larry Farnese, D-Phila.
  • The Anti-Defamation League
  • Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association
  • Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
  • Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pa.
  • Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg
  • Philadelphia Arab-American Development Corps
  • Pennsylvania Council of Churches
  • Baha'i Community of Harrisburg Area
  • Organization of Chinese Americans
  • UUJusticePA (formerly UUPLAN)
  • Pennsylvania Council of Churches
  • Pennsylvania Youth Congress
  • Sikh Coalition
  • Philadelphia Arab-American Community Development Corp.
  • United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania
  • Disability Rights Pennsylvania
  • Tri-State Human Relations Coalition
  • The Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia
  • Pittsburgh Freethought Community