The JCRC deplores the hateful cartoons directed at the Muslim community in St. Cloud. Our community, which has suffered similar acts of harassment, shares in the concern and condemnation of these hurtful acts. It is tragic that extremists cling to racist, xenophobic, anti-Islamic, and other bigoted ideas. The Muslim community is an integral part of the diverse and democratic society in Minnesota and we stand in solidarity with them.
Judaism teaches us that all are created in the Divine's image and with these beliefs we try to teach our children respect and dignity for all human beings. Although no crime is ever justified, attacks on individuals because of one's race, religion, sexual orientation, or simply intolerance of others are particularly heinous.
Perpetrators of these types of incidents are intent on spreading a message of hate and challenging the openness and respectful atmosphere of our community. These acts seek to divide and isolate members of minority communities. Collectively, we must reject these chilling acts and the hate they represent.
We applaud the St. Cloud Police Department and the St. Cloud City Attorney's Office for their mobilization and investigation into this incident. We urge anyone with information about these heinous acts to come forward.