‘No place in the public square’

As leaders of the various faith communities in Stamford, we strongly support the action of members of the Stamford Board of Representatives in calling for a special meeting to censure Rep. Marion McGarry for conduct detrimental to the public’s trust and confidence in the Stamford Board of Representatives.

The racially charged comments that Rep. McGarry has made toward Muslims and Hispanics on social media has no place in the public square, not to mention from a public official and leader in Stamford.

As the Board of Representatives rightly note, “Stamford is a diverse community where neighbors, no matter their political beliefs, treat each other with decency and respect. An elected member of our board endorsing racist comments outside of our meetings is a violation of those values and arguably deserves censure.”

To this civic response, we add the response of the religious communities that all life is sacred, and we are called, within each of our traditions, to respect the sacrality of all life. Rep. McGarry’s comments are anathema to this vision.

We thank the Board of Representatives for responding to Rep. McGarry’s comments, and we redouble our efforts as members of faith communities and proud citizens of Stamford to continue to create an environment where the diversity of Stamford is seen as part of the strength of our community and encourage all to honor the sacred in each individual.

We join hands and hope with those who also stand by the values of tolerance, acceptance, dialogue, and respect for the dignity of every human being, regardless of faith, race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, and social status.

The board of the Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut and Stamford clerg y:

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

Temple Beth-El The Rev. Duane Pederson St. John’s Lutheran Church The Rev. David Van Dyke First Presbyterian Church The Rev. Shelley Donaldson First Presbyterian Church The Rev. Frances Sink

Stamford Unitarian Universalist Church Rabbi Jay TelRav

Temple Sinai Pastor Todd Grant Yonkman First Congregational Church The Rev. Mary Marple Thies Honorably Retired, PC(USA)