Media Statement

The Amos Project Decries Threats Against the Safety of the Jewish Community, Voices Support for Jewish, Muslim Siblings and Our Shared Values

January 20, 2022

Together we will create brave space 
Because there is no such thing as a “safe space” 
We exist in the real world 
We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.
—Micky Scottbey Jones

This week, Pastor Daniel Hughes released the following statement on behalf of The Amos Project:

“The Amos Project is in solidarity with our siblings in the Jewish community who face the disturbing reality of increased acts of antisemitism and threats to their safety in recent years. 

We are heartbroken by the news of the hostage situation perpetrated against members of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas on Saturday and we are relieved that the survivors are alive and physically unharmed. We commend Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who spent an early chapter of his career serving in the community of Cincinnati, for his quick thinking and calm leadership in a dangerous, high pressure situation that ultimately allowed him and the other survivors to escape. 

The Amos Project condemns antisemitism in all of its forms and we are committed to showing up consistently to support our Jewish siblings in word and deed.

Equally, we condemn Islamophobia in any form. We stand in solidarity with our Muslim siblings who are grappling with the bigoted blowback that frequently occurs in our country when someone who represents your community threatens the safety and security of others. The harmful actions of one individual are not an excuse to assign blame to an entire religious group of people or to perpetuate untrue, harmful stereotypes. 

We acknowledge the short-comings of releasing a statement whenever harm such as this attack occurs. Words cannot erase the scars of this or any horrific incident but we also know that the silence of allies creates further wounds. What ultimately keeps us safe in an unsafe world is the strength of our communities and our relationships with one another. 

We stand with you, unified across our differences as people of faith. We see you and we want to work alongside you towards a future that embodies the shared values between our faith traditions; Love, human dignity, and our constant struggle for justice.”

We will not be perfect. 
It will not always be what we wish it to be 
But It will be our brave space together, 
And
We will work on it side by side. 
— Micky Scottbey Jones

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The Amos Project is a network of congregations, clergy and people of faith organizing with the most vulnerable in our communities for racial and economic justice in the state of Ohio. The Amos Project is a member of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. Uniting local congregations with a large statewide multi-issue organization, the Amos Project strengthens the ability of people of faith to address both local and regional community issues, including mass incarceration, immigration, healthcare, and racial inequity.