Faith Alliance for a Moral Economy (FAME) stands in unshakable solidarity with the Muslim Community worldwide against the horrific white supremacist attack in New Zealand that left 50 dead and dozens injured, among them several children. Our hearts are mourning, and we offer our condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones.
In the United States, Islamophobia -- whether in the form of a hate crime or an anti-Muslim sentiment made by elected officials -- is a grave threat and has been growing. While terrorist attacks and mass shootings are rare in New Zealand, the attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday are not isolated incidents in the West, where rising anti-immigrant rhetoric is often directed at Muslims, Black people, Indigenous communities, and immigrants.
White supremacy is not just an ideology of ignorance; it is terrorism. It kills more people in the US than any other ideologically-motivated form of violence, yet is often dismissed as isolated incidents. The mass shooting in Christchurch, as well as the massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue last year and other heinous acts of state or domestic terrorism, shows that the hate manufactured by this false narrative endangers lives around the world.
This type of violence is a direct result of politicians exploiting social division and sowing fear. In the wake of this terror attack, we all must commit ourselves to taking a stand against the ideology of white supremacy and standing in solidarity across our communities.
Whether it is separating families through the Muslim Ban, taking children away from their families and caging them at the southern borders, or state-sanctioned killings of Black and brown people, violence rooted in white supremacy is unacceptable. We have the moral responsibility as people of faith and conscience, to stand with vulnerable and targeted communities, defend the safety and wellbeing of all people, to say no to hatred in all its forms, and to say yes to love and respect, always.
In the face of this horror, FAME stands with the people of New Zealand and with Muslims throughout the world in calling for an end to white supremacy. While we mourn, let us honor the lives of the victims by expanding and connecting our hands in solidarity, in order to build a world where all are liberated from structural violence and can live with dignity and self-determination.
FAME is a network of clergy and spiritual leaders committed to a bold vision of economic, racial and gender justice - and to a transformational approach to organizing that begins with strong solidarity with impacted people struggling for dignity and justice. FAME is a project of the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy.
“We pray that Allah accepts the best deeds from all of the victims and grants them the highest paradise. May Allah give patience to the families of the victims and all of those who have been touched by trauma. May Allah guide everyone towards holistic ways of dealing with each other as community, ameen! ” (Saabir Lockett, Special Projects Coordinator - EBASE/FAME and the Lighthouse Mosque) ... See MoreSee Less
4 days ago ·
The Oakland teachers' strike was SO beautiful -- and it was only the beginning! We have much more work to do. Check out this graphic from J4OS: Justice for Oakland Students Coalition about what’s next in our fight for Oakland’s future! #Unite4OaklandKidsShame on OUSD for not meeting ALL the teachers union demands - but movements are not won in 7 days. We need to sustain the energy and unity for the next fights! ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago ·
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LIVE! Oakland Education Association press conference on the tentative agreement to end historic #OUSDstrike! We are with you, Oakland teachers! #Unite4OaklandKids
Oakland Education Association
On Day 7 of our historic strike, we reached a tentative agreement with the Oakland Unified School District. We won major victories in every core area, and we're confident that this contract sets us up to continue to fight for the full funding of our neighborhood public schools.
Full tentative agreement, with summary, here: oaklandea.org/updates/oea-reaches-tentative-agreement-with-ousd/
#StrikesWork ... See MoreSee Less
3 weeks ago ·
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Breaking! Tentative agreement to end the #OUSDstrike is on the table! Congratulations Oakland teachers and students!!! Oakland Education Association teachers will vote over the next 24 hrs. Meantime, teachers and supporters continue to hold the line. When we fight....WE WIN! #Unite4OaklandKids #weareoakland ... See MoreSee Less
3 weeks ago ·
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Live video from Day 6 of the #OUSDstrike! Oakland is a UNION TOWN! #Unite4OaklandKids
Oakland Education Association ... See MoreSee Less
3 weeks ago ·
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