As you are likely aware, yesterday the FBI foiled a plot by an alleged ISIS supporter to attack Legacy International Worship Center, a church on the North Side. We wanted to share with you the Community Relations Council’s statement on the incident and three opportunities to stand with community in the face of hate.
Our Statement
We are saddened but not surprised to learn that a violent extremist plotted to target yet another house of worship in Pittsburgh – this time Legacy International Worship Center on the North Side. We are grateful to law enforcement for keeping Pittsburgh’s faith communities and North Side neighborhoods safe by arresting the alleged perpetrator, who also considered attacking a Shia mosque, before he was able to execute his plan. Unfortunately the Pittsburgh Jewish community is all too familiar with what can happen when hateful people seek to harm others because they look, pray or think differently. We stand in solidarity with the Legacy International Worship Center and we recognize that the views of the person who plotted this attack are his own and not representative of the community from which he comes.
Community Relations Council, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
Three Opportunities for Action
Greet worshippers at Legacy International Worship Center as they enter church for Sunday services.
Organized by the Center for Lovingkindness, the intent is to stand with the members of the church to let them know they are not alone, even as violent extremists intend to do harm to their community.
When: 11:30am Sunday, June 23 (services are noon-1:45, Pastor Day has invited the greeters to stay)
Where: Legacy International Worship Center, 2131 Wilson Ave., Pittsburgh, 15214
Attend World Refugee Day.
Organized by AJAPO and co-sponsored by Jewish Family & Community Services, stand with the refugee and immigrant community to show that we understand that the alleged ISIS supporter is an outlier among immigrants and refugees.
When: 11:30am-2pm Friday, June 21
Where: Market Square
Sign our open letter of Faith, Concern and Hope.
Crafted by the Center for Lovingkindness, Christian Associates of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and the Community Relations Council.