FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, 608-513-7121, wifaithvoices4justice@gmail.com
STATEMENT ON THE SHOOTING OF JACOB BLAKE
With shock and horror, we have seen another officer-involved shooting of an unarmed African American man, this time in our State of Wisconsin. The video of Jacob Blake being shot multiple times by a Kenosha police officer as his children watched appears to be yet another instance of an unnecessary use of lethal force by our police.
As people of faith, we offer the family of Jacob Blake our prayers and support. Although we cannot begin to imagine the pain, anger, frustration, and outrage that African Americans continue to feel as their loved ones are gunned down, we join them in protesting these outrageous acts of inhumanity.
The nation has witnessed a long overdue rising of awareness about the reality of systemic racism since George Floyd’s cruel death in Minneapolis just three months ago. Nevertheless, awareness does not suffice in itself. Action must follow.
Leviticus 19:16-18 commands us “do not stand idly by while your neighbor bleeds.” We cannot be silent while racism and violence ravage African American communities. To be silent is to be complicit. Rather, we must speak out, and act, to combat this evil.
Fighting racism is a life-long task. We stand with people of color and other oppressed minorities and pledge to work together to end the poison of systemic racism!
Rabbi Bonnie Margulis
Executive Director, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice
Reverend Larry Sexe
President of the Board
Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice