We have been called to stand in support and solidarity with anyone or any group who is targeted with hate.

Last week about 10 RVUUFians joined me in Medford at Vogel Plaza to stand on the side of love after posters were displayed on E. Main St. calling for a “Muslim Free America.” A minister from the United Church of Christ in Medford spoke at the rally that day. The following Sunday she found a poster on her church building from the white supremacist group American Vanguard.

The following is the letter faith leaders in Medford will present to the city council and I will stand in solidarity with them on Thursday, Dec. 15 at noon.

An Open Letter from Faith Leaders to Mayor Wheeler and the Medford City Council

As faith leaders in the Rogue Valley, we ask Mayor Wheeler and the Medford City Council to add your voices to the many residents who have been speaking out against the wave of hate crimes and harassment of people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ people, Muslims, Jews, and women.

Last week, a white supremacist hate group put up posters in downtown Medford, urging local residents to “Imagine a Muslim-Free America.” The poster directed people to a website that calls for a “war” against people of color in America.

Last year, a similar group announced that it was holding an “anti-Muslim” rally here in downtown. That rally fizzled to fewer than a dozen people after it was announced that several hundred people planned to gather in a park across the street to say that hate groups are not welcome in our community.

Within a few days of the recent national elections, the local community organization, Unite Oregon, received more than 80 reports of racial threats or other hate crime activity.

Educators in this area report that children of color are being harassed at or on their way to school.

Letters threatening the genocide of Muslims have been sent to mosques in at least five states.

Hate activity not only threatens the safety and peace of mind of targeted groups and their children. It also distracts us from the urgent work we all need to do together to improve our communities for everyone’s benefit. People of all faiths and backgrounds need to come together to ensure that all of us have access to good jobs and affordable, quality housing, education, health care, and transportation. Division and threats based on religion or other factors serves only to keep us from making the progress we need.

Immediately after the anti-Muslim posters were put up here in Medford, nearly a hundred residents gathered to fan out to downtown businesses, asking them to put up a poster proclaiming that “All Are Welcome Here” and that “Hate Has No Business Here.” Within the allotted hour, nearly 40 businesses agreed. Participants plan to continue that outreach when there would be more time.

The City of Talent appointed a committee to prepare a resolution welcoming the regional mosque located there. The Phoenix City Council last month passed a resolution celebrating the city’s cultural and social diversity and affirming its commitment to be a safe and welcoming place for all residents.

Hate and discrimination thrive when people of goodwill fail to speak out. As faith leaders, we ask that you join us in making clear that hate groups that target Muslims or other parts of our community are not welcome in Medford and that our city stands for diversity and safety for all.

Sincerely,
Pastor Rev. Murray Richmond, First Presbyterian Church of Medford
The Rev. Dr. Hugh D. Anderson, Bridge Co-executive Cascades Presbytery Presbyterian Church (USA)
Joseph Hoyt Snyder, Quaker Representative to Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Peter Sergienko, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon board member, serving as the representative to the EMO board for The Episcopal Diocese of Western Oregon and Convener of The Environmental Commission for The Episcopal Diocese of Western Oregon
John Tucker, District Superintendent of the Crater Lake District in the Oregon/Idaho Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
Caren Caldwell, associate minister at Medford Congregational United Church of Christ
Linda Tucker, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Medford