Tree of Life Synagogue - Rapid Response
Our weekend was marked by yet another devastating incident of gun violence and prejudice, this time in Pittsburgh where the lives of eleven innocent people were ended at the Tree of Life Synagogue by a suspect who was reported saying he “wanted all Jews to die” because Jews “were committing genocide against his people.” Beliefs that were fueled by online forums and social media sites focused on prejudicial, racist, and white nationalist themes.
What we read and expose ourselves to via social media and other media outlets matters. What we, ourselves, say matters. And more importantly, what those in power say matters. The continued denial by the current administration that their divisive and prejudicial rhetoric did not contribute to the violence in Pittsburgh, or to the increase in hate crime violence in recent years throughout our great nation, is insulting and ridiculous. We need only look to the documented increase in hate crimes over the past four years to know how false that narrative truly is.
It is time for change, it is time for accountability, and it is time for reform. NPEIV calls upon our elected officials and Congress to stop ignoring the epidemic of hate crimes and gun violence in America and enact meaningful reforms to protect our children, our communities and all Americans.
For resources on how to fight hate in your community, please visit: https://www.splcenter.org/20170814/ten-ways-fight-hate-community-response-guide
The National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence (NPEIV) is an overarching group of individuals, organizations, agencies, coalitions, and groups that embrace a national, multi-disciplinary and multicultural commitment to violence prevention across the lifespan.
NPEIV is committed to reducing interpersonal violence and its consequences through scientific research and application of empirical findings. It is our mission to make the prevention of interpersonal violence a national and international priority and to encourage healthy relationships by linking science, practice, policy and advocacy.
Through our many partnerships and collaborations, it is our vision to end all types of interpersonal violence, for all people, in all communities, at all stages of life. For more information, please visit www.npeiv.org