BUFFALO, N.Y. — On the cusp of election day, a group of local religious, civic, and community leaders spoke out against political violence on Monday, sharing their message at a spot in Buffalo all too familiar with it.
"This is really a space that communicates political violence and the consequences of it," said Pastor Daniel Trippie, standing outside the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site.
Trippie of Restoration Church Buffalo spoke alongside two dozen of his colleagues and warned of the early signs of violence taking root in their communities.
The group recommitted to fighting political violence, recalling the dark time in our nation's history when our 25th President William McKinley was assassinated and our 26th was sworn in on Delaware Avenue.
"Political violence is not the answer," said Kelly Wofford, Erie County Director of Health Equity.
Each leader represented a different background, whether conservative, progressive, black, white, brown, Evangelical, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, or Muslim.
Their message being people's differences need not tear them apart.
"Each of us has not only committed ourselves to crossing divides and holding brave conversations, but also to spreading the will and skill to do so in our broader community," said Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein of Congregation Shir Shalom.
Lazarus-Klein noted that having constructive discussion doesn't mean abandoning one's convictions and principles, adding that even those in attendance didn't agree on everything.
"We may not always see eye to eye, but we've crossed chasms of difference of background and perspective to make this shared call to our broader Buffalo community," Lazarus-Klein said.
Their plea is part of a nationwide effort called "Resetting the Table," which encourages having a collaborative discussion while keeping in mind three steps, stop and listen, pause before action, and spread the message.
"Resist the urge to act on impulse, creating change requires intention and consideration," said John Camardo, Executive Pastor at The Chapel.
"We call on every neighbor and every leader to embody good citizenship including participation in the democratic process and care for neighbors in and beyond our own backyards," said Jericho Road Community Development Manager Charley H. Fisher III.
And while the election cycle will come and go, their work will continue long after.