Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)
JCRC Condemns Antisemitic, Bigoted, and Hate-Filled White Nationalist Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia
We, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, join with our national umbrella organization, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, in strong condemnation of the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, the associated virulently antisemitic, bigoted, hate-filled, displays, and the violence that claimed the life of one counter-protester and injured 19 others.
Among the attendees of the “Unite the Rite” rally were people carrying Nazi flags, holding signs saying “Jews are satan’s children,” and shouting “Jew” every time the name of Charlottesville’s Jewish mayor was mentioned.
We appreciate the unequivocal condemnations of this behavior by many of our elected officials, including Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown, and Ohio Governor John Kasich.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the two Virginia State Police troopers who died when their helicopter crashed as they were monitoring the unrest, and with the family of Heather Hayer, who was killed when a car, allegedly driven by one of the white supremacists, drove into a crowd of counter-protesters. We are disturbed to learn that the alleged perpetrator in that attack grew up in the greater Cincinnati area, and reportedly expressed fondness for Nazism and Hitler. Now is the time for all of us to rededicate ourselves to education and advocacy in an effort to counter hate, bigotry, and antisemitism whenever we see it.
As an organization that advocates for Jewish security, recognizing that Jewish security depends on a just society for all, we will continue to stand strong against antisemitism, hate, and bigotry, like what played out in Charlottesville. It is a threat to all of us as Americans and it erodes the values that form the foundations of our democracy.
Jewish Council for Public Affairs Condemns White Supremacist Violence in Charlottesville
Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) condemns the violent, racist, anti-Semitic, and hate filled “Unite the Right” rally by white nationalist groups in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday. We urge President Trump to directly denounce, in no uncertain terms and without equivocation, the white nationalist marchers and to make fighting hate a number one priority of his administration. Leadership must begin at the top.
JCPA expresses heartfelt condolences to the three families of those who died needlessly due to this rally.
“In moments like these, it’s critical that our political leaders speak in a clear voice opposing hatred.” stated JCPA Board Chair Cheryl Fishbein. “What our leaders do and say sets the parameters for the rest of the society.”
“There is no comparison between the protestors, who brought hate and violence to the streets of one of the symbolic birth places of American democracy, and the counter protestors” said David Bernstein, JCPA’s President and CEO. “The Rally was one of the largest showings from a hate group in decades. We stand with people of good will from all walks of life who are speaking out against hate. We must drive it back into the underground and to the margins of society.”
Responding to this state of emergency, our network is standing against hate in their local communities and many participated in the approximately 680 vigils and rallies organized today around the country.
JCPA represents the Jewish Community Relations Councils (JCRCs) who work tirelessly to build tolerance, civility, and maintain friendships with diverse partners across the country. We believe that we must continue to work toward a more just and equitable society in which we can all live together. These values are what make America the great country that it is today.
