As news reports spread from Charlottesville across the national stage regarding a white supremacist gathering at Lee Park on Saturday evening, members of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective are fully committed to our efforts to foster justice and opportunity for all people, and we condemn acts of hate and bigotry that threaten to intimidate and undermine the peace and well-being of our neighbors.
We are faith leaders from many traditions committed to the belief that love is stronger than hate, and we stand on the side of love. We believe that good and reasonable people can disagree about monuments and memorials, but divisive actions intended to provoke fear have no place here.
We invite you to join us in prayer for the City of Charlottesville as we rededicate ourselves to our efforts to foster a healthy and supportive environment for all the people of our region.
Signed, Sunday, May 14, 2017:
The Rev. Dr. Alvin Edwards
The Rev. Daniel Xisto
The Rev. Dr. Jan Rivero
Mr. Adam Slate
The Rev. Michael Cheuk
The Rev. Sandra J. Wisco
The Rev. Winn Collier
The Rev. Robert Lewis
The Rev. Cass Bailey
The Rev. Brenda Brown-Grooms
Pastor Sarah A. Kelley
The Rev. Marilu Thomas
The Rev. Susan Minasian
The Rev. Erik Walker Wikstrom
The Rev. Phil Woodson
The Rev. Rabia Povich
The Rev. Joshua T. Andrzejewski
The Rev. Harry Kennon
The Rev. Nicholas Deere
The Rev. Jim Bleakley
The Rev. Liz Emrey
The Rev. Elaine Ellis Thomas