Public Letter
March 16, 2022
FROM: Salem/Keizer Faith Leaders, People of Faith and Faith Organizations
TO: City of Keizer, Keizer City Mayor, President of the Volcanoes Stadium, & River Church
RE: Dangerous Event Planned in Keizer, Oregon
“Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may live” - Deuteronomy 16.20
As faith leaders in Salem, we are deeply saddened and concerned for the safety of Salem and Keizer’s citizens during and after the upcoming Reawaken America Tour, scheduled for April 1 and 2 at the Volcanoes Stadium. On behalf of the below signed Faith Leaders, Faith Communities, and Faith Organizations we together, express our deepest concern. We ask that this event be canceled immediately. We also ask that our elected officials, Police Department, and City of Keizer, express their concerns for the community, and actively work to ensure peace, anti-racism, and non-violence within its jurisdiction.
We have been contacted by several communities of marginalized people in our city expressing their fear that this rally will result in violence or intimidation directed at them. Because of the deep divisions present in our city and our nation, - divisions which are resulting in numerous acts of violence and intimidation - there are real concerns that some participants of this rally may be moved to act against the people of Salem, particularly groups that are especially vulnerable.
This event is an example of deeply divisive politics. This is easily observable by looking through the tour's website: https://timetofreeamerica.com/ . As faith leaders, people of faith, and faith organizations, many of us have direct experience with some of the militant hate groups who will be present at this event. Some of the speakers are convicted felons, instigators of violence, and people determined to fight, even militantly, against the people and institutions of our country using any means necessary.
As people of faith we understand both the necessity of and the protections provided by the First Amendment. However, we are also conscious of the constraints of that protection. The First Amendment does not protect speech or assembly that puts people or property in danger. Specifically, "hate speech" is not speech protected by the First Amendment. Assemblies that incite violence against other people are not protected. This event is clearly orchestrated to demonize other Americans and our deep concern is that the energy of the rally, combined with dangerous conspiracy theories, and demonstrably false information, will incite violence toward specific groups of people, including communities of faith, that have approached us for support and help.
We are saddened to see others, including those from our own faith traditions, participating in an event that frightens and endangers other communities. We have witnessed a belligerent refusal to take responsibility for the intimidation that emanates from this event. We, as people of many Faiths, aspire to work to heal our nation through love and good works, through working for justice through democratic and non-violent means. We are, therefore, deeply concerned about the Reawaken America Tour. We hope that you will act to protect our community and renounce the hate and violence so deeply rooted in the rhetoric espoused there.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” - Matthew 5:9
Email skinterfaithnetwork@gmail.com to add your signature to this letter. Share this letter and gather signatures within your community, here.
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