Friends,

The events of the past week have been hard for many of our members, especially for those with friends, family, and loved ones living in Israel or Palestine. Children around the world deserve to grow old amongst their loved ones, and we grieve for the shattered families of Israelis and Palestinians.

While CNL has not released a public statement on last weekend's massacre and subsequent violence, we want to make it clear that we unequivocally condemn the sadism, rape, and mass murder by the terrorist group Hamas. As an organization, we strongly believe in core liberal principles like democratic representation, equality before the law, an open society, and the freedom of speech, association, religion, and the press – principles to which Hamas is in direct opposition.

This Sunday, we want to provide our members a space to discuss the events of this past week and be heard on their concerns, in a welcoming environment. To that effect, this Sunday, October 15 at 4 PM EST, we will be holding a virtual community gathering, open to all members of the Center for New Liberalism, where you can have the opportunity to grieve and vent together. 

We stress that this will be a respectful call in which we can express ourselves with regard and dignity for those on the call, all those affected, and those who cannot be represented. Any person who insults or otherwise does not observe proper conduct will be quickly and without warning removed from the call. 

If you would like to join this call, you can register in advance here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtcOqoqT4qHNd8zQOpawJe9bV7XBxwNMhP 

This is a very tough time for many of us affected and for us who champion a free, democratic society. We at CNL continue to bind together our common values and a desire for a better way of life. 

- The Center for New Liberalism Team & Steering Committee