Interfaith Council speaks up

The Interfaith Council of Murrieta and Temecula Valley, which includes representation of Canyon Lake, has issued a statement in support of those protesting on behalf of persons of color who have been targets of racism.

“Our Interfaith Council has agreed that we should take a stand as the Interfaith Council of Murrieta and Temecula Valley regarding the protests for Black Lives Matter,” the group’s secretary, Marti Treckman, said in the release of the statement. “The Interfaith Council wishes to acknowledge the God-given dignity and equality of all people, and our organization seeks to be a collective spiritual voice for human rights and justice for all.”

The Interfaith Council, which was organized 15 years ago, represents most of the valley’s myriad religions and religious organizations. It was organized to foster cooperation, equity, unity, respect, compassion, dignity, human rights and justice, which, they say, are only a few of the virtues and requirements of a peaceful and just society.

The recently-released statement reads:

“We, the members of the Interfaith Council of Murrieta and Temecula Valley, stand with members of Black Lives Matter and with all persons of color who have been subjected to racism.

“We stand because of the universal teachings of brotherhood, unity, justice, love, and compassion shared by all the world’s religions. We stand because, from our inception, our mission has included the goal of creating an equitable society. We acknowledge the God-given dignity and equality of all people, and we seek to be a collective spiritual voice for human rights and justice for all. We stand because we believe that the stronger the ties of fellowship and solidarity among men and women, the greater will be the power of cooperation, constructiveness and accomplishment in all areas of human activity.

“Our hearts are aching for inequality and the loss of innocent lives in our country. We mourn the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and all those whose lives were tragically cut short. As Americans and part of the human race, we have to do better. As a community, we need to unite, support, speak up, and use our collective power to enact change. In the words of Angela Davis, ‘I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.’

“In these past two weeks, our heavy hearts have been lifted by the many multi-racial and multi-national lovers of justice stepping up to protest this issue around the world. We dare to hope that this time hearts will be changed and institutions will be reborn to help us all move forward, heal and help create a more perfect union for all people.”