Civic

"Tolerance and Understanding in Uncertain Times" Conference Recounts Alleged Hate Crime Murder

March 26, 2003

Source: Press of Atlantic City

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/cumberland/032603DEES2.html

On March 26, 2003 the Press of Atlantic City reported that "twenty-four-year-old Mulegeta Seraw left Ethiopia in search of the American dream... But his dream died with him when he was killed in Portland, Ore., allegedly by members of White Aryan Resistance, a white supremacy group... Seraw's tragic story was recounted Tuesday by Morris Dees, a national...

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House to Seek National Day of Prayer

March 26, 2003

Source: Las Vegas Sun

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-cong/2003/mar/26/032602156.html

On March 26, 2003 the Las Vegas Sun reported that "the House is talking about a national day of humility, prayer and fasting to seek guidance from God during a time of war and terrorism... A vote on urging President Bush to designate such a day was expected later in the week... But several lawmakers were less sure. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, an...

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Interfaith Maine Pleas Against Backlash

March 25, 2003

Source: WMTV

On March 25, 2003 WMTV reported that "religion and the law are sometimes seen as contending powers in a society. But today, we found special members of those communities who are serving as pillars - striving to uphold diversity in Maine... 'Our pledge is that any violence against any of our religious committees who are members of Interfaith Maine will be considered violence against all of us,' says Abraham Peck, of Interfaith Maine... a group that brings different religions together -- from Christianity and Judaism, to Bahai and Buddhism, and...

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Religious Groups Speak Out Against War with Iraq: Mar. 2003

March 25, 2003

Source: National Council of Churches

On March 25, 2003 the National Council of Churches reported that "in a free society, all are responsible. That was among observations of four panelists - all religious leaders opposed to the war on Iraq - at a March 25 forum, 'From Winning the War to Winning the Peace: An Interfaith Dialogue on Resistance and Reconciliation...' More than 100 people filled the 'Great Choir' of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City for the forum, held in the early days of the war. 'This forum offers us a chance to reflect...

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New Jersey ADL Director Calls for Tolerance during War in Iraq

March 25, 2003

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/104-03252003-63529.html

On March 25, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "although it will take time to determine if war in Iraq sparks an increase in bias crimes in New Jersey, a group of the state's religious and ethnic leaders is not waiting to find out... 'Whatever is happening on other shores, we need to be on guard here in New Jersey and throughout the U.S.,' said Shai Goldstein,...

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Editorial: LA to Increase Investigation of Hate Crimes

March 25, 2003

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 25, 2003 the Los Angeles Times printed an editorial stating that "as the war in Iraq began last week, state and local leaders put police forces and emergency workers on alert against terrorist attacks. In Los Angeles, they also announced they would beef up their investigation and prosecution of hate crimes, a clear message that homeland security extends to Muslims and Arab Americans... Most recently, police are investigating as a hate crime the Feb. 22 beating of an 18-year-old Arab American by a pack of 30 young men in...

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National Council of Churches Joint Statement on War in Iraq

March 24, 2003

Source: National Council of Churches

http://www.ncccusa.org/news/03news23.html

On March 24, 2003 the National Council of Churches issued a joint statement with Secretary Generals of the Islamic Circle of North America and the Islamic Society of North America. It stated, "we are deeply saddened that military action against Iraq has begun. We pray now for a quick conclusion to this war, for the loss of as few lives as possible, and for peace. In the darkness of war, let us be...

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FBI Agents Reassure Dallas Muslim American Children

March 24, 2003

Source: Star-Telegram

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/5468577.htm

On March 24, 2003 the Star-Telegram reported that "more than three dozen children heard from [Stan] Strauss, who investigates hate crimes for the Dallas office of the FBI. As the war in Iraq continues, some Muslims are concerned that they could become victims of harassment and hate crimes similar to ones that occurred during the first gulf war... Agents who spoke at the mosque also explained the FBI's efforts to interview...

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Interfaith Prayer Service in Chicago

March 24, 2003

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

On March 24, 2003 the Chicago Sun-Times reported that "the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago will hold an interfaith prayer service for peace... at St. James Episcopal Cathedral, Wabash and Huron... The council includes bishops and leaders of diverse religious groups, including Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago; bishops of the Episcopal and United Methodist churches; various Protestant, Eastern and Orthodox Christian leaders; the head of the Chicago Board of Rabbis;...

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Editorial: Federal Funds to Restrictive Churches

March 23, 2003

Source: St. Petersburg Times

On March 23, 2003 the St. Petersburg Times printed an editorial stating that "to get a job as a residential counselor/houseparent at the United Methodist Children's Home in Decatur, Ga., you have to be at least 21 years old, a high school graduate and 'a professing Christian.' The job announcement goes on to explain that while non-Christians 'have done much good in our world,' the Children's Home is 'an agency of a Christian Church' and in order to preserve that identity, only Christians will be hired... You have to appreciate...

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Quaker Group Organizes Protest in Western Massachusetts

March 23, 2003

Source: Boston Globe

On March 23, 2003 the Boston Globe reported that "At Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, 90 miles west of Boston, a rally of 2,000 antiwar protesters included three-dozen who locked arms to block the main road leading into the base... Organized by the Western Massachusetts American Friends Service Committee, protesters entwined themselves in yellow, red, and blue yarn, to symbolize the "web of justice," they said. Committed to civil disobedience, they ignored the police countdown that gave them 2 minutes, then 1 minute, then 30...

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Japanese-Americans in Solidarity with Muslim Americans

March 23, 2003

Source: The Argus

On March 23, 2003 The Argus reported that "Japanese-American civil rights groups are joining Muslim and interfaith groups outraged over new wartime security measures calling for Arab immigrants seeking political asylum in the United States to be locked up until the government can verify their reasons for coming here... Officials with the Department of Homeland Security say the measures announced last week also are being taken to 'advise members of the Iraqi community of the FBI's responsibilities in protecting them from hate crimes...'...

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North Carolina Religious Leaders Remain Neutral on War in Iraq

March 23, 2003

Source: News Observer

http://newsobserver.com/news/story/2366598p-2207123c.html

On March 23, 2003 the News Observer reported that "the United States is waging a war fraught with religious overtones, but leaders of Triangle churches, synagogues and mosques [in NC] are steering far clear of the fray. On the first weekend of war in Iraq, they are sticking to eternal themes of peace and love, saying the politics of war have no place in the pulpit. The reasoning is...

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