The following statement was originally released on October 2, 2020.
Harrisburg United, an open coalition of Harrisburg region civic, labor, religious, and community organizations, is saddened and alarmed to note the recent surge of hate behaviors in our area: the desecration of a synagogue with Nazi symbols; the defacement of Black Lives Matter murals in the city proper by an organized hate group; and coincident vandalism at the Harrisburg LGBTQ Center.
The vitality, resilience, and growth of our region depends on the continued respect among its residents of all races, religions, and sexual orientation. Our organizations stand firmly in support of the victims of hate behaviors and their threatened communities.
We urge residents of the Harrisburg region to respond personally to hate behaviors:
- Report hate activity, sexual and ethnic intimidation to your church, community organization, local, and state authorities so that perpetrators can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
- Offer support to the targets of hate behavior and ethnic intimidation in the community and in the workplace.
- Invest personal time and effort in support of the work of community organizations dedicated to eradicating hate activity in our communities.
The Harrisburg United coalition strongly believes that hate motivated crimes and related actions do not reflect who we are as a region. We are proudly diverse people who care about other people and seek to constantly improve the quality of life in our region for those who live, visit, and do business here.
Christian Churches United
Darrel Reinford, Executive Director
Community Responders Network
Jon Brandow, Aaysha Noor
Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC
David Black, President & CEO
The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg
Jenn Ross, President & CEO
Rabbi Ron Muroff
Keystone Business Alliance
Harry Young, Executive Director
Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC)
Gloria Merrick, Executive Director
Martin Luther King Leadership Development Institute
Joseph Robinson, President