It was a beautiful morning to stand in Solidarity with Love, against Hate. People crossed the bridge from East and West, bridging differences to come together as one. The sun shone on us all as clergy from many different faiths gave testament against Violence, Fear and Death and for Hope, Courage, and Wholeness. Their message was clear – we welcome the stranger, we love our immigrants, and we will take action to support them!
More than 1,000 people gathered at the Martin Luther King Bridge on President’s Day – Jewish, Christian and Muslim clergy and congregation members came together in unity to bridge divides and call for Justice.
The program featured remarks, prayers, and music offered by leaders of the Bosnian Muslim Community, the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, the Archdiocese of Greater St. Louis, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church, the International Institute, and the Ashrei Foundation.
CRC Rabbi Emerita Susan Talve, led the gathering and called out the need for the community to address violence, fear, and death, as well as embrace hope and wholeness. “Today it is our moral call for unity and compassion, a call to open the broken heart of the world by being as inclusive as possible, remembering that none of us can be free until all of us are free,” Talve said. “We are grateful for every single faith, tradition, and–oh my G-d, look around–we are all here!”
Jewish participation in the march included Central Reform Congregation, Congregation Shaare Emeth, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Shir Hadash, and United Hebrew Congregation. Parkway United Church of Christ—an interfaith partner of Congregation Shaare Emeth in a variety of shared initiatives—also joined the event.
Photos below provided courtesy of Philip Deitch.
