Bloomington United “No Hate” signs were posted all over the courthouse lawn at the “No Hate” rally in 2019. Photo by Rodney Margison

Editor’s note: The following is a press release from Bloomington United. Bloom has republished it here with minor edits for style and clarity.

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, members of Bloomington’s many faith communities will once again gather together to celebrate life and the varied faith traditions which enrich our community. The service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Tuesday, November 23, at 7 p.m. and everyone is invited. This event, sponsored by the Bloomington Multi-Faith Alliance, is a quiet act of reverence. In a sense, it’s Bloomington at its best!

Sadly, we will gather just weeks after an act of vandalism at Bloomington’s Islamic Center which struck fear in the hearts of Muslims in our community and after Jewish students at IU had symbols of their faith ripped from their dorm rooms. Such actions continue to trouble our community.

Leaders of Bloomington United will be working with the city and the campus in the coming weeks to attempt, once again, to address these acts of hatred and to provide opportunities for conversation and action surrounding Martin Luther King Day in January. Please watch for details about these events in the coming weeks.

Doug Bauder & Rabbi Sue Silberberg, Co-Directors of Bloomington United