Speakers signing up to voice their opinions about the war in Gaza have called on Lexington city leaders over the past few weeks to set a tone of opposition to the continuing violence – pressing the Urban County Council to take a position.
At a recent council meeting one speaker said, "Fine, you feel powerless, as you say, in your positions, but facts don't care about your feelings. You can do something. I refuse to believe that in your leadership positions that you can't lead with your humanity."
This week, Mayor Linda Gorton, Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, and a group of Lexington Jewish and Muslim/Palestinian leaders released a joint statement they say they have been crafting since October.
The letter begins with a two-word response to the growing violence and attacks on Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities elsewhere in the country: “not here.”
It goes on to say, “We do not have to agree about the solution to this crisis to treat one another with respect, acknowledge each other's grief, affirm each other's humanity, and pray for a future where cruelty and violence are replaced with compassion and peace.”
Pro-Palestine activists mounted another protest in downtown Lexington Monday, demanding leaders take action to add their support to calls for a ceasefire.
Read the full letter below.
As the world witnesses fighting in Gaza and Israel, Lexington prays for peace.
When the violence spills over into our country, with extremist attacks on Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities, Lexington says not here.
Even at this time of turmoil and division, we must remember what unites us as creatures created in the Divine image. Loving one's neighbor as oneself makes no exception for neighbors whose ways we approve of and those whom we do not. We do not have to agree about the solution to this crisis to treat one another with respect, acknowledge each other's grief, affirm each other's humanity, and pray for a future where cruelty and violence are replaced with compassion and peace.
We are leaders of Lexington's faith community, businesses, government, public safety agencies, community groups, and civic organizations. We represent different religions, different backgrounds, and different ways of life.
Proud of — and strengthened by — our diversity, we stand united in our determination to keep Lexington peaceful, and all of its residents safe.
Mayor Linda Gorton
Rabbi Shani Abramowitz, Ohavay Zion Synagogue
Imam Shaheed Coovadia, Masjid Bilal
Nick Fain, Temple Adath Israel
Dr. Jamil Farooqui, President Masjid Bilal lbn Rabah
V. Rev. Fr. Thomas Gallaway, Pastor of St. Andrew Antiochian Orthodox Church
Mindy Haas, Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass
Rich Ornstein, Temple Adath Israel
Charlie Oudeh, Ramallah Club
Dr. Nadia Rasheed, MD
Justin Sadle, Jewish Community Relations Council
Tyler Scott, Mayor's Office Chief of Staff
Isabel Taylor, Lexington Multicultural Affairs Coordinator
Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Chief
Rabbi David Wirtschafter, Temple Adath Israel
Councilmember-at-Large Chuck Ellinger
Councilmember Tayna Fogle, 1st District
Councilmember Hannah LeGris, 3rd District
Councilmember Brenda Monarrez, 4th District
Councilmember Liz Sheehan, 5th District
Councilmember Preston Worley, 7th District
Councilmember Fred Brown, 8th District
Councilmember Whitney Baxter, 9th District
Councilmember Dave Sevigny, 10th District
Councilmember Kathy Plomin, 12th District
The Ven. Laurie Brock, St. Michael's Episcopal Church
Rev. Brandon L. Gilvin, Senior Minister, Central Christian Church
Superintendent Demetrus Liggins, Fayette County Public Schools
P.G. Peeples Sr., President/CEO, Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County
Robert L. Quick, IOM, CCE, President & CEO, Commerce Lexington
Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., Catholic Diocese of Lexington
Jacob Carr, Yalla Y'all
Julia M. Huber, M.D.
Rev. Christy Jo Harber, Woodland Christian Church
Joey Truax, RadioLex
