The Interfaith Youth Council of LA County (IYCLAC)
Our Council members, representing a broad range of traditions, are committed to increasing understanding, appreciation and collaboration with people of other faiths across Los Angeles County.
Given the recent attacks on two major religious groups in the U.S., the Interfaith Youth Council of Los Angeles County feels that it is necessary to both discuss and condemn these actions. The Jewish community has been historically targeted, however, current threats to Jewish Community Centers--nearly 70 in the last two months--may indicate that anti-semitism is on the rise. The vandalism of Jewish synagogues and cemeteries has risen as well. Additionally, the failure of the Presidential Administration to acknowledge the 6 million Jews that were killed during the Holocaust on Holocaust Remembrance Day displays the intentional exclusion of Jewish oppression and the negligence of the current administration.
The Muslim community has also recently been targeted through fallacious rhetoric, hate crimes, and unjustified executive orders. Islamic Centers and mosques have been vandalized and attacked since Islamophobia skyrocketed after the September 11th attacks; attacks seem to be escalating even more post-election. In just the last month, mosques in Texas, Washington, California, and Florida have been victims of arson attacks. The arson attack in Victoria, Texas happened only a few hours after the President signed an executive order that banned immigrants and refugees from seven Islamic countries from entering the United States. This was viewed as the beginning of the “Muslim Ban” he discussed during his campaign. This ban displays an unjustified response to terrorism since there have been zero attacks committed by people from the seven countries listed. The president has also said that he would grant priority |
entrance to Christian refugees over other refugee groups, which is illegal. As an Interfaith community, it is our obligation to criticize and critique discriminatory policy. This is an example of policy that has negative implications for both international relations and domestic religious unity.
The recent incidents at the Jewish cemetery in St. Louis and the mosques that have been burned down are not only attacks on the Jewish and Muslim communities, but attacks on our First Amendment right as Americans to freely practice whichever faith we choose. Our council strongly believes that the recent actions of the Presidential Administration can not be tolerated and that the Presidential Administration should condemn these attacks against Americans who are exercising their freedom to practice their faith tradition. As a council dedicated to the acceptance and protection of all religious communities, we refuse to remain silent as we witness these blatant actions of prejudice. It is of utmost importance that the intolerance, bigotry, and hate crimes are combatted with both criticism and education. We believe that diverse religious expression has not only been protected but is woven into the fabric of American history. We champion the right of all Americans to not only be able to worship freely, but to add to the mosaic that makes our country the vibrant democracy that it is. We believe that our diversity and opportunity for everyone is part of what makes America great. |
IYCLAC Statement on Election ResultsNo matter your political stance on the recent election, it is hard to deny the significant amount of religious bigotry that has arisen largely due to the influence of the words of our president elect, his appointees, and some of his supporters. Regardless, the Interfaith Youth Council of Los Angeles County has dedicated itself to the combating of any harmful religious stereotypes and the unity of diverse religions to inspire collaboration between them. Especially during this time, our council believes that the understanding of a variety of religions and faiths is crucial to maintaining peaceful, beneficial relations and rhetoric between all faith groups. As a council, we are committed to denouncing any hateful rhetoric that has already arisen and to preventing future hateful comments or a worsening of the political and social situation. As always, we stand by the idea that more knowledge, learning, and interfaith collaboration consequently leads to less hate, ignorance, and religious hate crimes. As we move on to accept the next four years as reality, we will not be standing idly by. We encourage each individual to use their voice and this opportunity to denounce any hate that is directed towards any community as an effort to restore an accepting, safe, and supportive country.
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IYCLAC Statement on DAPLIn recent months among many other national issues, those involving the Dakota Access Pipeline have been flooding the media, but not without reason. The $3.78 billion, 1,172-mile pipeline has been set to run through four different states. More importantly, it will run near the sacred land of the Native American Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. The pipe has the potential to leak and contaminate the Missouri River water supply used by millions including several Native American tribes. The Interfaith Youth Council of Los Angeles County
considers this pipeline a threat not only to the water supply and the environment, but a violation of human rights both with regards to Native American tribal lands and to the rights of the peaceful protesters. Recently, many of the protesters have been targeted with water cannons and tear gas in freezing weather for protesting non-violently. The expression of protesters concerns have been met with threats to their lives and health, which is an action on the police’s account that our council condemns. As a group of diverse teens dedicated to the upholding of human rights, we urge you to call the North Dakota governors, senators, or police departments to express your reactions or discontent to the situation and treatment of protesters. |