MEDIA ADVISORY:
Jews Gather in Durham on Chanukah to Challenge Islamophobia and Fight Against Racism
WHAT: Jews protesting Islamophobia and racism will gather holding nine signs listing commitments to fighting injustice in the shape of a Chanukah menorah. Activists will call attention to Governor Pat McCrory’s anti-refugee and anti-immigrant stance and to also inmate abuse at the Durham County Jail.
For 8 nights, Jews in different cities, including New York City, Miami, Chicago, Washington, DC, New Haven, Portland (Oregon), Durham, Columbus, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, Springfield, Ithaca, and Denver will be holding up these signs and reading aloud each commitment in a public space.
WHO: Initiated by Jews Against Islamophobia in NYC (a coalition of Jewish Voice for Peace NY and Jews Say No!) with the Network Against Islamophobia, a project of Jewish Voice for Peace, a national membership organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all the people; together with JVP chapters across the country
WHEN: December 11 at 5:15PM
WHERE: CCB Plaza / the Bull in Durham
WHY: As Jews, we believe that challenging Islamophobia and fighting against racism are part of our obligation within our communities and as partners in the broader struggle for justice and dignity for all peoples. Our commitments include: 1. We will not be silent about anti-Muslim and racist hate speech and hate crimes; 2. We condemn state surveillance of the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian communities; 3. We challenge, through our words and actions, institutionalized racism and state-sanctioned anti-Black violence; 4. We protest the use of Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism to justify Israel’s repressive policies against Palestinians; 5. We fight anti-Muslim profiling and racial profiling in all its forms; 6. We call for an end to racist policing #SayHerName #BlackLivesMatter; 7. We stand against U.S. policies driven by the ‘war on terror” that demonize Islam and devalue, target, and kill Muslims; and 8. We welcome Syrian refugees and stand strong for immigrants’ rights and refugee rights.
PHOTOS/VIDEO: Activists holding signs in the shape of a menorah, each sign with a different statement; life-sized effigy of Governor McCrory; lighting Chanukah candles; marching to the Durham County Jail
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Jewish Voice for Peace – Triangle NC chapter is part of a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality, and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. Jewish Voice for Peace (www.jvp.org) has over 200,000 online supporters, over 60 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, an Artist Council, an Academic Advisory Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.
Jewish Voice for Peace Triangle NC 