Apologies, I am publicizing a press release rather than writing a diary today, but I feel it's needed. September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, which formed shortly after the WTC attacks, has joined with other groups in support of the Park51 project in New York City.
Please pass on the information so that groups you are affiliated with can join the coalition. Individuals can sign the statement of support, link below.
http://nyneighbors.org/
New York Neighbors for American Values Speaks Out in Support of Park51
On Wednesday, Aug. 25, more than 40 prominent organizations, civic groups, leaders and religious and interfaith groups will join together to announce the creation of a coalition in support of religious freedom and diversity and to rebuff the increasingly strident opposition to a proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero. New York Neighbors for American Values embraces the American constitutional values of religious freedom, diversity and equality. We stand together today to reject the crude stereotypes meant to frighten and divide us.
The press conference was at noon today. More info below the fold.
MEDIA ADVISORY
WEDNESDAY: September Eleventh Families, Religious Leaders, Civic Groups, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Groups Announce Coalition to Support Religious Freedom
New York Neighbors for American Values Speaks Out in Support of Park51
On Wednesday, Aug. 25, more than 40 prominent organizations, civic groups, leaders and religious and interfaith groups will join together to announce the creation of a coalition in support of religious freedom and diversity and to rebuff the increasingly strident opposition to a proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero. New York Neighbors for American Values embraces the American constitutional values of religious freedom, diversity and equality. We stand together today to reject the crude stereotypes meant to frighten and divide us.
WHAT: Press Conference to Announce New Coalition Supporting Religious Freedom
WHERE: Municipal Building (One Centre Street)
WHEN: 12 p.m. Wednesday, August 25, 2010
SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
Faiza Ali, Community Affairs Director Council on American-Islamic
Relations –NY
Ro Scheffe, Community Board 1
Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper, President, New Sanctuary Movement and the
Judson Memorial Church
Donna Lieberman, Executive Director, New York Civil Liberties Union
Susan Lerner, Executive Director, Common Cause/NY
WHO: The Coalition of NY Neighbors for American Values [Preliminary List]:
Organizational Members:
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF),
Auburn Theological Seminary,
Brooklyn for Peace,
Citizen Action of New York,
Common Cause/New York,
Community Voices Heard,
Convergence of Cultures/NY,
Council on American-Islamic Relations-NY,
Demos,
Downtown Independent Democrats,
Good Jobs New York,
Greater NYC for Change,
Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition,
Interfaith Center of New York,
Islamic Mission of America inc.,
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice [JFREJ],
Judson Memorial Church,
League of Women Voters of the City of New York,
Lower Manhattan Democrats (LMD),
Manhattan Young Democrats,
Middle East Crisis Response (MECR),
Muslim Consultative Network,
Muslim Public Affairs Council –NYC,
New York Civil Liberties Union,
New York Theological Seminary,
New York City New Sanctuary Movement,
Pax Christi Metro New York,
The Dialogue Project,
The New York City Chapter of Humanist Party,
The Shalom Center,
Woodstock International
Your Organization Can Endorse Here - There is a form at the link:
http://nyneighbors.org/...
Our Position
As Americans and as New Yorkers we are stronger when we work together. New York Neighbors for American Values embraces the American constitutional values of religious freedom, diversity, and equality. We stand together and rebuff the crude stereotypes meant to frighten and divide us.
New York Neighbors for American Values is proud to include Muslim-American community members and institutions in our community, as we do all communities working to strengthen the fabric of our vibrant city. We reject the idea that any neighborhood in our great City is off-limits to any particular community. We welcome the effort of Muslim New Yorkers to build institutions that serve their communities and our diverse City.
We don't stand for this kind of nonsense in New York City. Please ask your organizations to join the coalition.
Also, Save the Date:
Vigil on Sept. 10 for Equality, Diversity & Religious Freedom
Posted on August 24, 2010 by admin
Stay tuned for more details.
Many of the groups in our coalition are organizing a candlelight vigil on the evening of Friday, Sept. 10, on or near Park Place, to welcome the Park51/Cordoba House project in Lower Manhattan. Sign our petition to stay informed.
Individuals can go here to sign in support of the coalition statement:
Sign the Statement!
Join us in welcoming an Islamic cultural center in lower Manhattan, serving Muslims and along with the entire community. This is our response to the bigotry expressed by some opponents of the Cordoba House, known also as Park 51. No neighborhood should be declared "off limits" to people of any religion, race or ethnicity.
Signing our coalition statement is a practical way to show your support for real American values: equality, diversity and religious freedom.
I am sending this to several elected officials and candidates, my local Democratic Club, and affiliated clubs in Manhattan. I am confident they will all join the coalition. Who are you sending it to?
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this organization (yet!). I am just hoping to help spread the word.