Mayor, diverse group release joint statement appealing for peace, seeking safety in Lexington

Mayor Linda Gorton | City of Lexington Official website

By Metro Lex News Report

Dec 14, 2023

Mayor Linda Gorton today released a joint statement she, Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, and a group of Lexington Jewish and Muslim/Palestinian leaders have been working on since October.

The statement is an appeal for peace in Gaza and Israel, and a united stance to “keep Lexington peaceful, and all of its residents safe” at a time when there have been extremist attacks on Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities around the country. “Lexington is saying ‘not here’,” Gorton said.

Ten members of the Urban County Council have signed on to the statement. Business, faith, education, and civic leaders have also voiced their support.

Lexington residents are invited to sign on to the statement. Please send your name and address to mayor@lexington.gov. Residents are welcome to include the organization they represent.

The statement follows:

As the world witnesses fighting in Gaza and Israel, Lexington prays for peace.

When the violence spills over into our country, with extremist attacks on Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities, Lexington says not here.

Even at this time of turmoil and division, we must remember what unites us as creatures created in the Divine image. Loving one's neighbor as oneself makes no exception for neighbors whose ways we approve of and those whom we do not. We do not have to agree about the solution to this crisis to treat one another with respect, acknowledge each other's grief, affirm each other's humanity, and pray for a future where cruelty and violence are replaced with compassion and peace.

We are leaders of Lexington's faith community, businesses, government, public safety agencies, community groups, and civic organizations. We represent different religions, different backgrounds, and different ways of life.

Proud of — and strengthened by — our diversity, we stand united in our determination to keep Lexington peaceful, and all of its residents safe.

Mayor Linda Gorton

Rabbi Shani Abramowitz, Ohavay Zion Synagogue

Imam Shaheed Coovadia, Masjid Bilal

Nick Fain, Temple Adath Israel

Dr. Jamil Farooqui, President Masjid Bilal lbn Rabah

V. Rev. Fr. Thomas Gallaway, Pastor of St. Andrew Antiochian Orthodox Church

Mindy Haas, Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass

Rich Ornstein, Temple Adath Israel

Charlie Oudeh, Ramallah Club

Dr. Nadia Rasheed, MD

Justin Sadle, Jewish Community Relations Council