Press Release
Interfaith Alliance Appalled by Vitriolic MSG Rally; Rallying Diverse Faith Communities to Reject Hate, Defend Democracy
At Donald Trump’s “closing rally” for his campaign in New York last night, both Trump and his political allies repeatedly used vitriolic, extreme and hateful rhetoric directed at immigrants, people of color, Vice President Harris, and a wide range of communities who they view as, in Trump’s words, “the enemy within.”
Some of the disgusting rhetoric included referring to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” calling Vice President Harris “the devil” and “the antichrist,” and again promising to target and deport immigrants and “liberate” America from them. Many of the comments were openly antisemitic, anti-Muslim and racist toward many different communities.
In response to this outpouring of hate and threats, Interfaith Alliance’s president and CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush issued the following statement:
“For the many millions of Americans dedicated to a vision of our country as a welcoming, multi-faith and multi-racial democracy, last night’s rally was an appalling and frightening spectacle. It was a stark reminder that extreme demagogues are determined to undermine democracy, divide communities against each other, and govern through intimidation, oppression and violence. They are taking direct aim at the religious and ethnic diversity that makes up the rich and vibrant fabric of our country.
“The majority of Americans of diverse faiths and beliefs reject this ideology of hatred and scapegoating – and it’s incumbent on us to do everything we can to mobilize our communities against it. Now is the time for religious leaders and communities to get out the vote, defend democracy, and reach across lines of difference to build inter-communal solidarity. Now is the time to make clear that those who falsely use the guise of religion as a tool to oppress or dominate others do not speak for us.”
Rev. Raushenbush and Interfaith Alliance are today kicking off “The Vote is Sacred Bus Tour” in Omaha Nebraska. The tour will travel through states between Nebraska and Pennsylvania in the lead up to election day, hosting events with local affiliates and faith leaders aiming to increase voter turnout and highlight the role of diverse religious communities in pro-democracy activism. It is a counterforce to extremist voices who are attempting to suppress the vote while advocating for a narrow, anti-democratic vision of religious coercion and uniformity.
I.R.S. Support for Political Endorsement by Houses of Worship Erodes Critical Boundary Between Religion and Government
WASHINGTON – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and inclusive multi-faith democracy, is deeply concerned by a new I.R.S. court filing that says churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates to their congregations from the pulpit. This action by the Trump Administration violates the fundamental purpose and spirit of the Johnson Amendment, a decades-old ban on political campaigning and endorsement by non-profits, including houses of worship.
Interfaith Alliance Condemns Islamophobia and Extremist Targeting of Public Officials
As a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, Interfaith Alliance is appalled by the recent surge of Islamophobic hate speech and incitement against NYC Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and the broader pattern of extreme hate directed against public officials and vulnerable minorities. This hateful rhetoric seeks to spread polarization and division and wrongly pit diverse American communities against one another.
SCOTUS Ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor Enables LGBTQ+ Discrimination, Harms True Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, is deeply disturbed by the Supreme Court’s ruling today in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor. The decision clears the way for further discrimination against diverse groups and undermines public education. While falsely claiming the mantle of religious freedom, it in fact suppresses diversity and promotes exclusion.