ICMC Stands in Solidarity With the Pittsburgh Victims

ICMC Stands in Solidarity With the Pittsburgh Victims
People gather to mourn the victims of the massacre at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. © Gov Tom Wolf flicker account

The International Catholic Migration Commission mourns the loss of life and expresses solidarity with the families of victims of the recent attack at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, as well as with the Jewish refugee resettlement agency HIAS, which was threatened by the attacker.

On Saturday, 27 October, an armed individual entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, shooting and killing 11 members of the congregation and wounding six more.

The alleged gunman was reportedly active on extremist right-wing online platforms, where he was known for his anti-Semitic and anti-immigration stance. In the weeks preceding the attacks, he threatened the Jewish refugee resettlement agency HIAS online. His last threats came minutes before the shooting.

The Pittsburgh attack came just a week after the National Refugee Shabbat Event, participants of which were a target of the gunman’s threats.

The ICMC statement follows:

ICMC Stands in Solidarity With the Pittsburgh Victims

The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) grieves and prays for the victims subjected to senseless loss of precious human life and vicious violence at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and we stand in solidarity with their families and all people of good will in this community.

ICMC also is deeply saddened by other violence and hate speech that seems to be reaching epidemic proportions in the United States of America and other parts of the world.

Finally, we are greatly troubled by the accusations hurled at our sister organization in resettlement HIAS. For decades, HIAS has been providing tens of thousands of refugees outstanding service and support so that they can start a new life in safety, hope, and opportunity in the United States. As a fellow faith-based organization which has been resettling refugees since the 1950s, we stand in solidarity with HIAS, the work they do and the refugees they serve.

WHAT WE DO

ICMC provides assistance and protection to vulnerable people on the move and advocates for sustainable solutions for refugees and migrants.