GAY RIGHTS GROUP CONDEMNS SYNAGOGUE VANDALISM

For Immediate Release Contact: Rick Garcia
January 19, 2006 312-560-0405

GAY RIGHTS GROUP CONDEMNS SYNAGOGUE VANDALISM

CHICAGO -- Illinois' statewide gay rights group issued a statement condemning the recent vandalism of a northside Chicago synagogue. Agudas Achim Congregation in Chicago's uptown neighborhood was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti this past week.

"This was an attack not only on a synagogue but on a whole community that respects and celebrates rich diversity," said Rick Garcia, public policy director of Equality Illinois. "We stand in solidarity with our neighbors at Agudas Achim and we commit ourselves to continue to fight against this disgusting display of intolerance."

Equality Illinois participated in a prayer service at the synagogue on Sunday, January 19. Following is Garcia's statement:

Statement Condemning Anti-Semitic Vandalism
Rick Garcia, Public Policy Director
Equality Illinois
January 19, 2006


Equality Illinois condemns in the strongest possible way the recent anti-Semitic vandalism at Agudas Achim Congregation in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood.

We stand in solidarity with this congregation, with our Jewish neighbors and with all who experience hate-motivated crimes.

Equality Illinois is particularly disturbed that this vandalism took place in one of Illinois' most diverse communities -- home to Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhist, Sikhs, people of Latino, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian, African and European descent as well as a large population of gays and lesbians.

The attack on this synagogue is not simply an attack on one institution. It is an attack on all of us in our rich diversity. It is an attack on decency.

We stand with the congregation of Agudas Achim today. You are not alone. We are with you and we will continue to work together to stop the hatred that fuels these attacks on us and we will work to make this community safe and welcoming to all.