Photo Credit: Bill Wilson
"With hate, violence and prejudice on the rise, this is an extraordinarily difficult time
for underserved communities in the Bay Area.
There have been an unprecedented number of attacks on AAPI individuals,
a wave of antisemitic incidents and threats against Muslim Americans
and Islamic Center break-ins.
Today, voices of faith join with those of our civic partners to speak out against this hate
through a series of "We All Belong" public service announcements.
The short videos unveiled at this event are intended
to show our united solidarity in the effort to combat those voices of hate!"
San Francisco Interfaith Council Executive Director Michael Pappas
On 6 September 2023, the Bay Area Interfaith Leadership Council, a Cooperation Circle of United Religions Initiative, whose 2019 Bowes Award underwrote this collaborative project, launched three anti-hate public service announcements focused on Anti-Asian Hate, Antisemitism and Islamop
Featured presenters at the launch were US Attorney for the Northern District of California Ismail J. Ramsey, Marin County District Attorney Lori Frugoli, San Francisco County District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, and Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen.
Watch video.
The following three Public Service Announcements address the rise of Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Anti-Asian Hate. The theme, “We all Belong”, exemplifies the Leadership’s reminder to all residents of the Bay Area that the demonization of others only serves to weaken and destroy our communities. All faith traditions have one thing in common and that is to profess the perennial truth of the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” In short, “We All Belong”!
This year and a half effort would not have been possible without the invaluable counsel of Chinatown Leader Rev. Norman Fong for his assistance on the Anti-Asian Hate PSA, Jewish Community Relations Council CEO Tyler Gregory on the Antisemitism PSA and Islamic Networks Group Deputy Director Zachary Markwith on the Islamophobia PSA.
We Belong - Jewish Public Service Announcement
We Belong - Muslim Public Service Announcement
We - Belong - Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander Public Service Announcement
The Bay Area Leadership Council comprises executive directors from the Interfaith Center at the Presidio, the San Francisco Interfaith Council, the Marin Interfaith Council, the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council, the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County , and the Interfaith Council of Alameda County / Tri-City Interfaith Council.
