CAIR-MA Expresses Solidarity with Vandalized Church
PRESS RELEASE
(Boston, MA, 08/12/15) The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA) and the Boston-based Muslim Justice League join in expressing solidarity with St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Southborough, MA, after it was again targeted with graffiti containing racial and religious slurs. Last Sunday, for the second time in two weeks, vandals scrawled offensive remarks on and near church property, including ones directed against Muslims.
St. Anne’s held a candlelight vigil on Tuesday, August 11th to counter the messages’ hatred with prayers for peace and understanding, which was attended by people of many faith backgrounds.
See CBS Boston’s report on the vandalism and vigil here: http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/08/11/southborough-church-holds-vigil-in-fight-against-hate-filled-graffiti/
“We stand in solidarity with the parishioners at St. Anne’s after these deeply offensive acts. We’re always appalled to hear of hate speech and vandalism being employed, but especially so at a place that’s meant to foster peace and worship,” said Dr. John Robbins, Executive Director of CAIR-MA. “That some of the slurs targeted Muslims makes the matter even more personally unsettling for local practitioners of Islam.”
“We are dismayed by the news of this hateful vandalism,” said Shannon Erwin, Executive Director of the Muslim Justice League. “Yet the response of St. Anne’s Church and the Southborough community reminds us that people of conscience, standing against hate, are united by one struggle for human dignity and against bigotry.”
For further inquiries, please contact Dr. John Robbins (info@ma.cair.com) or Shannon Erwin (serwin@muslimjusticeleague.org).