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Friend,
Six years ago, the deadliest act of antisemitic violence in
American history took the lives of 11 beloved Jewish community members
at the Tree of Life - Or L’Simcha building in Pittsburgh.
As we mark today’s yahrzeit (annual mourning), my
prayer is for safety, freedom, and liberation for all of
us.
The shooter chose the synagogue because of its work with HIAS, the
Jewish humanitarian organization that supports immigrants and
refugees. He believed in the "Great Replacement
Theory," the antisemitic conspiracy theory that falsely
claims Jews are working to replace White Americans through immigration
and other means. It continues to be one the greatest threats to Jewish
people, immigrants, and communities of color in the U.S., and
we
recorded this video with our friends at HIAS to explain
more.
At Bend the Arc, our work to defeat the MAGA movement is
rooted in a deep love for our families, freedoms, and
futures. Because Trump and the GOP aren't just failing to
condemn white nationalists; they are promising us that they will
govern as them.
And we’re not alone in this work. All week, Jewish and non-Jewish
partners have been checking in, and today we will mark this day of
mourning together. Just like they did in 2018, our friends, neighbors,
and allies have our backs in Pittsburgh and across the country.
We knew then and we know now that our safety lies in
solidarity.
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