JACKSON, Miss. — The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) unequivocally condemns the firebombing of Beth Israel Synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi that occurred on Saturday, Jan. 10. This appears to be an act of religious hatred intended to terrorize a community of faith, and it must be named as such.
“We stand firmly with the Mayor of Jackson and with the entire Jackson community in rejecting violence in all forms. Our community will not be intimidated,” said Waikinya Clanton, Mississippi state director, SPLC. “Every person deserves to live and worship in safety, dignity and peace and we will continue to stand up against antisemitism and all forms of violence wherever they appear.
“Beth Israel Synagogue is not only a sacred place of worship, but also a historic institution that was established in 1860 as the first Reform Jewish congregation in Mississippi. This place of worship has shown generations of resilience, including surviving a violent attack by members of the Ku Klux Klan in 1967. That this synagogue is being targeted again today is a painful reminder that religious hatred remains a real and present threat.”
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About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.