Jews and Muslims denounce vandalization of black churches

JAMAAT DENOUNCES ATTACK ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCHES IN WASHINGTON D.C. BY PROUD BOYS

Jews and Muslims and Allies Acting Together (JAMAAT), a Washington area Interfaith organization, expresses revulsion and outrage that members of the Proud Boys, taking part in often-violent pro-Trump demonstrations in Washington on Saturday, attacked two historical Black churches in downtown Washington–the Asbury United Methodist Church and Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church—and set on fire “Black Lives Matter’ banners displayed there.

As people of faith who ourselves have suffered due to the rise in bigotry and xenophobia in America in recent years, we denounce these evil acts and declare our full solidarity with the members of the two churches. Given the terrible history of slavery, segregation and violence against Black people in America, it is intolerable that such overtly racist attacks should be allowed to take place with apparent impunity against two historically Black churches in our nation’s capital. We share the shock and anguish expressed by Rev. Ianther M. Mills, senior pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church, who told the Washington Post; “It pained me especially to see our name, Asbury, in flames. For me it was reminiscent of cross burnings.”

Muslims, Jews, Christians, and Americans of diverse faiths and no faith must raise our voices against attacks on renowned African-American religious institutions by a group of neo-fascist thugs clearly acting with the evident sympathy, if not outright support, of the Trump Administration. We believe that Federal law enforcement agencies must get directly involved in identifying and arresting the perpetrators of these revolting hate crimes. We cannot allow the perpetuation of a racist, two-tiered system of justice in America in 2020. This must not pass.

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