The Interfaith Center of New York offers our deepest condolences to the family members and survivors of yesterday’s horrific shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church that claimed nine casualties. The Emanuel AME church has been a presence in Charleston since 1816, when African-American members of Charleston’s Methodist Episcopal Church formed their own congregation after a dispute over burial grounds.
When a gunman entered into this sanctuary with self-proclaimed purpose of “killing black people,” he demonstrated an unfathomable amount of hatred and prejudice in the area of both race and religion.
We call on local and state government in South Carolina to do more to end race-based hatred and to join 45 other states and the District of Columbia in passing hate-crime legislation.
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For those in New York City, there will be a Prayer Vigil tonight in Union Square, NYC at 6 pm. The Vigil is being organized by Conor Hicks, Jessi Nakamura (jessi4jc@hotmail.com) and Grand Central Crew. If you are able to attend the Prayer Vigil, please call Rev. Alisa Joyce (ajoyce@middlechurch.org) Middle Collegiate Church, who is coordinating clergy participation at 914-715-1801 and work 212-477-0666 x 300.
See the Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/124694087862857/
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New York Religious traditions respond to the South Carolina Shooting
Muslim Advocates Response: http://www.muslimadvocates.org/statement-on-south-carolina-church-shooting/
The Sikh Coalition: http://sikhcoalition.org/advisories/2015/sikh-americans-mourn-in-wake-of-charleston-tragedy-prompted-by-hate
New York Board of Rabbis: https://interfaithcenter.org/archives/9262
