Mass InterFaith Protest in Washington, DC on July 24th
Statement from The Riverside Church about Mass Interfaith Protest in DC
CBS News Coverage of July 23 Press Conference
THE RIVERSIDE CHURCH IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
to Host INTERFAITH PRESS CONFERENCE on July 23rd to Stand Against
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Address to Congress in Washington, DC on July 24th
NEW YORK, NY – Senior Minister Rev. Adriene Thorne invites interfaith leaders to the historic and history-making Riverside Church in the City of New York to stand as witnesses against Benjamin Netanyahu in advance of his congressional address on July 24. Rev. Thorne will welcome Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Christian leaders to share from their traditions the reasons it matters that people of faith stand against Netanyahu and for human life. “All the people,” she declares, “are made in the image of God. Period. Full stop.”
The press conference featured (l-r):
- Minister Conor Foley, Outreach Minister at First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn
- Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director of Hindus for Human Rights and co-founder of Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus
- Rev. Adriene Thorne, Senior Minister of The Riverside Church in the City of New York
- Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Director of the Interfaith Center of New York
- Rev. Mira Sawlani-Joyner, Minister for Justice, Advocacy & Change at The Riverside Church in the City of New York
- Rev. Mark A. Thompson, Host of “Make It Plain” podcast
- Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft, Executive Minister for Justice, Education & Movement Building at Middle Church
Gather in the Riverside Church Nave, which hosted The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. six times in his lifetime, at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 23. While Congress provides Netanyahu with a platform, we, as people of faith, will establish our own platform to present a moral and humanitarian challenge to Netanyahu’s argument of a just war. Faith compels us to advocate for the needs of our siblings. We intend to use our voices to speak against Netanyahu’s crimes against humanity.
The International Criminal Court has charged Netanyahu with war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the October 7 attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Netanyahu’s tactics, which include extermination, starvation as a method of war, denying humanitarian relief supplies, and deliberately targeting civilians in conflict, have contributed to an alarming rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence worldwide.
Join The Riverside Church in Washington, D.C. on July 24, along with thousands across the nation to protest Netanyahu’s address to congress. Buses leave the church July 24 at 6:00 AM – 91 Claremont Avenue. Kindly wear RED attire.
About The Riverside Church in the City of New York: The Riverside Church in the City of New York, is an interdenominational, interracial, international, open, welcoming, and affirming church and congregation. The Riverside Church seeks to be a community of faith. Its members are united in the worship of God known in Jesus, the Christ, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The mission of the Church is to serve God through word and witness; to treat all human beings as sisters and brothers; and to foster responsible stewardship of all God’s creation.
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On July 24th, Benjamin Netanyahu plans to address Congress and defend what he terms a “just war.” However, the reality of his actions tells a different story—one that includes the indiscriminate killing of civilians in Gaza and numerous other atrocities.
The International Criminal Court has charged Netanyahu with war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the October 7 attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. These charges encompass extermination, using starvation as a method of war, denying humanitarian relief supplies, and deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.
There can be no “just war” when such egregious violations of human rights are committed. We are calling on faith leaders from all traditions to stand together and condemn Netanyahu’s leadership. His tactics have instilled fear in critics, unjustly accusing them of anti-Semitism to silence legitimate dissent. This has only furthered division and hate, contributing to an alarming rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence worldwide.
We invite you to join us in Washington, D.C. on July 24th, where we will join thousands across the nation to protest Netanyahu’s address to congress, as a faith contingent. While Congress provides Netanyahu with a platform, we, as people of faith, are establishing our own platform to present a moral and humanitarian perspective and challenge Netanyahu’s argument of a just war. Our faith compels us to advocate for the poor, address the needs of the hungry, and support those facing housing insecurity. Therefore, we cannot endorse this war and we must use our voices to issue a moral charge against Benjamin Netanyahu’s crimes against humanity.
Transportation from The Riverside Church and First Presbyterian Church Brooklyn will be provided for all who wish to participate.
Departure time for buses is 6:00 AM. Kindly wear RED attire.