No Hate in Jericho

Since October 7, there have been increasing incidents of anti-Semitic and anti-Arabic/Islamic rhetoric, threats and violence across the United States. Arabic, Muslim and Jewish Americans have been victims of hate crimes. People from those groups across the country are feeling fearful and unsafe.

While we would like to believe that our town, and our state, are immune to ethnic/religious hatred and violence, the shooting of three Palestinian-American students in Burlington on November 25th makes it clear that we are not.

We, Jericho’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (JDEI), are concerned for the emotional and physical wellbeing of all Jericho residents. We recognize that our town’s people may have different opinions, and respect their First Amendment rights to share them and engage in respectful and peaceful discourse.

We condemn hatred and violence of any kind, and are in agreement that such have no place in Jericho. As our recently adopted Declaration of Inclusion states, Jericho is committed to being a welcoming place for all people.

(Our signatures/names)

Sarahjane Dube

Nathan Ellison

Sonnet Lawson

Maria Rinaldi

Wendy Verrei

Brian Walsh