An Open Letter to Judge Moon regarding the location of the Sines vs Kessler trial


June 10, 2021
 
As clergy, congregations, and members of the community, we are still grappling with the after-effects of the violent Unite the Right rally of August 2017, which brought death and violence to our community.
 
We the undersigned members of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective are concerned about the suggestion of moving the site of the Sines vs. Kessler trial from Charlottesville to Lynchburg, Roanoke, or another location.
 
It is important that this trial takes place in our community, because moving the venue of the trial creates an additional burden to the plaintiffs themselves, who are among those who suffered the most in our community.
 
We desire to be a peaceful pastoral presence in town to support our plaintiffs and other members of our community during this important time when difficult memories will be resurfacing.
 
We pray that having this trial in Charlottesville will be an important part of a healing process in our community.
 
Respectfully Signed,
 
Rev. Dr. Alvin Edwards, Mt. Zion First African Baptist, President of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective
Rabbi Tom Gutherz, Congregation Beth Israel
Rev. Dr. Michael Cheuk, Charlottesville Clergy Collective
Apostle Sarah A. Kelley, Faith, Hope and Love International Healing and Deliverance Center
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Emrey, New Beginnings Christian Community
Derrick Stone, Bahá'í's of Albemarle County
Brenda Brown-Grooms, New Beginnings Christian Community
Gary Hatter, Olivet Presbyterian Church elder
Elizabeth Shillue, Charlottesville Friends Meeting
Susan Kaufman, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
Gail Hyder Wiley, elder, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dr. Linda Olson Peebles, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville
Rev. Liz Forney, First Presbyterian Church
Rev. Rabia Povich, Inayatiyya Sufi Community
Rev. Sandra Wisco, ELCA Lutheran
Rev. Mildred Best, Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church
Rev. Karen Foley (retired), Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville
Rev. Carol Carruthers Sims, Episcopal Priest, Retired
Kimberly Hayes - Charlottesville Church of Christ
Sharon Beckman-Brindley, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
Rev. Hillary T. West, retired and worshiping with Trinity Episcopal, Charlottesville
Cynthia Power, Charlottesville Friends Meeting
Don Gathers, First Baptist West Main Street
Sydna Julian, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
Jocelyn Prostko, First United Methodist Church

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