Dear Friends,
The urgency of grassroots interfaith work is greater now than it was when The Interfaith Center of New York was founded almost 20 years ago. Our mission has never been more important: “to overcome prejudice, violence, and misunderstanding by activating the power of the city’s grassroots religious and civic leaders and their communities.”
You can access ICNY’s latest annual report here.
Your gift during this season will help us heal our divided communities.
ICNY brings New York’s diverse faith community members together to stand unified against bigotry and violence. But to do this, we need your support. Please donate now and help us make our city’s religious diversity a source of strength.
Here are just a few examples of the programs and advocacy your donation supports:
Improving Police-Community Relations
ICNY’s new religious diversity police training video “Policing in Today’s Multi-Faith New York” is now required viewing for all 34,500 uniformed officers at the NYPD. The Department of Collaborative Policing will be using this 20-minute video for training at all levels, from cadets to commanders.
Protecting Religious Freedom
In response to a 2016 proposed settlement between the NYPD and Muslim New Yorkers on unwarranted surveillance done on mosques and Muslim community organizations over the last decade, ICNY organized letter-writing and briefings to encourage communities of faith to submit public comments on the Handschu/Raza settlement and its effect on New York’s wider religiously diverse faith communities. This effort culminated recently in the Court’s refusal to accept a legal settlement that Judge Charles Haight said did not go far enough in protecting the religious freedom of ordinary Muslims. Securing substantive protections for religious freedom for all New Yorkers is unfinished work.
Ending Stop and Frisk
ICNY recognizes that law enforcement training and better police accountability are inseparable. As advisors on gathering community input on police reforms—a process mandated in Floyd et al. v. City of New York et al. a “Stop and Frisk” case—ICNY helped religious leaders and their communities subjected to unconstitutional stops express their concerns and ideas. In conjunction with Communities United for Police Reform, ICNY staff members hosted Harlem faith leaders and congregations in two community forums to give input into the formulation of final police reform laws.
Combating Islamophobia
ICNY submitted written testimony to the US Senate Judiciary Committee questioning the premise of hearings organized by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) titled, “Willful Blindness —The Consequences of Agency Efforts to De-Emphasize Radical Islam in Combating Terrorism.” In May, ICNY and fifteen allied organizations signed an amicus brief filed by Muslim Advocates in support of a New Jersey Muslim community whose proposal to build a mosque was rejected by the Township of Bernards. Locally, we continue to speak out against anti-Muslim hate speech and the vilification of immigrants from different religious traditions.
Educating Teachers and Social Workers
For the third year, ICNY has partnered with the National Endowment for the Humanities and Union Theological Seminary to teach educators from around the country about the lived religions of New York. Over 100 social workers came together for a day of learning and exchange on topics including domestic violence and foster care from a faith practitioner’s point of view.
Organizing in the Community
We support the re-entry of formerly incarcerated individuals returning to their New York communities by mobilizing faith volunteers from seven Harlem Episcopal, Catholic and Buddhist communities. These volunteers offer a sympathetic ear and welcoming refreshments at the Harlem Community Justice Center. We also help those re-entering to hone their public speaking skills by sharing their personal stories in houses of worship throughout NYC.
Please consider making a gift in the name of peace and pluralism today. This important and urgent work is only possible with your support.
Click here or on the icon below to make your tax deductiable donation today:
Donations can always be made on our website www.interfaithcenter.org.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Chloe Breyer Jim Morton
Executive Director Founder and Chair Emeritus
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