WGN: Rally Stands With Muslims Against Islamophobia

As Americans of many faiths, we are shocked and horrified to hear calls for a "registry" of Muslims in the United States, shutting down mosques, or restrictions on immigration based on religion. Mounting Islamophobic rhetoric has led to increasing numbers of attacks on Muslims in the US, yet respect for all religions is a quintessential American value, enshrined not only in the US Constitution but in the platforms of both major political parties. We vow to hold our public officials accountable.

In the words of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, no one should “suffer on account of his religious opinion or belief, but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion”.

We therefore pledge:

To call on all political candidates and public officials to refrain from defaming Islam and Muslims, and from advocating or implementing religiously discriminatory policies.

To combat anti-Muslim speech and discrimination wherever we see it.

To affirm by words and deeds the human and civil rights of all Americans, immigrants and refugees, no matter their religion.

#StandWithMuslims!

Co-sponsors:

American Friends Service Committee
Beth Emet, the Free Synagogue
Call to Action Chicagoland
Chicago Area Peace Action (CAPA)
Council on American Islamic Relations - Chicago (CAIR)
Evanston Neighbors for Peace
Forwarding Humanity
Interfaith Action of Evanston
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation of Evanston
Jewish Voice for Peace Chicago
Lake Street Church of Evanston
Metropolitan Family Services
Northshore Coalition for Peace, Justice and the Environment
Open Communities
Call to Action Chicagoland
St. Nicholas Parish Peace & Justice Committee
Second Baptist Church of Evanston
Unitarian Church of Evanston
YWCA Evanston/North Shore