Bowie’s Religious, Political & Community Leaders Draw A Line In The Sand Against Hate Crimes.
Newsletter Sign Up
〰️
Newsletter Sign Up 〰️
Dr. Rhonda Jeter, Dean of the College of Education at Bowie State University, speaks to the crowd about standing strong against hate crimes at Allen Pond Park in Bowie, MD on March 13. Photo by Delonte Harrod.
"Bowie stands up for love, not hate," Rabbi Steve Weisman, rabbi at Temple Solel in Bowie, passionately said while standing at the podium. "Bowie stands up for inclusion and not division. Bowie stands up for the whole truth, not any exaggerated and unsubstantiated accusations and lies. Bowie stands up for all the people of all races, faiths, ages, identities, and abilities. Bowie stands up for our children and making a better world for them. Bowie stands up today and always united for peace."
On March 13, Weisman along with representatives from Bowie State University, community members, politicians, artists, activists, and members of Bowie Police Department gathered outside at Alan Pond Park to speak out against a string of hate crimes, and to show unity. Weisman spoke well of Bowie Police Department’s involvement with how it has responded by investigating the hate crimes.
Attendees not only heard speeches, but also saw Estreja “Star” Turner, a freshman at Bowie State University student - majoring in communications, minoring in dance - perform a dance routine to "I'll Rise Up" by Andra Day, singer/songwriter. Day was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Rev. Susan Graceson, teaching elder at Christian Community Presbyterian Church, led the crowd in corporate prayer. She walked to the podium and said: "Holy one, we lift-up to you today the city of Bowie," she prayed. "We lift-up to you, the residents who live here, the people who work here, the children who play here, the teachers who teach here. Those who love this place to call it home."
You can view the itinerary here.
Rabbi Steve Weisman speaks at Alan Pond Park against recent hate crimes in Bowie, Maryland. Photo by Delonte Harrod.
In January, Bowie University, Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) were sent bomb threats, which resulted in students having to shelter in place. In early February, someone had distributed anti-Semitic flyers in Bowie. Over the last four years, in several states across America, anti-Jewish gunmen have attacked Jewish communities. In January, in Colleyville, Texas a gunman held four Jewish people hostage inside a synagogue. He was shot and killed by FBI agents.
"It was important to put this event together because we could not let hatred rear its ugly head in our great city and say nothing in response," said Tameeka Washington, founder and president of Interfaith Coalition of Bowie. "We are proudly diverse in Bowie and united in purpose in facing down bigotry and racism. So, it made sense to gather our faith and local leaders as well as the Bowie State community to say loudly and together that there is no place for that here. Not today and not ever."
During the Trump administration, hate crimes rose in Maryland. According to 2020 FBI Crime Data, the state's police departments reported 40 hate crimes, an increase of 19 from 2019. A little more than half, 27, were "motivated by race and ethnicity."
"14 committed against Black people, five against white people, four against people who identify with multiple races, three against Hispanic people and one against an Asian person," according to Maryland Matters.
Newsletter Sign Up
〰️
Newsletter Sign Up 〰️
The data also shows that hate crimes, 7,759 nationally, had reached it's highest in a decade. According to Maryland Matters, "the numbers reflected on the FBI’s website are much lower of those included in the Maryland State Police Hate Bias Report, which captures both criminal and non-criminal bias incidents, and may provide a more complete picture of hate-based harassment in the state."
Tim Adams, Mayor of Bowie, at the podium on March 13. Photo by Delonte Harrod.
Tim Adams, Mayor of Bowie, not only highlighted the hate crimes against the Jewish community. He also directed the crowd to remember former Bowie University student, Army 1st Lt. Richard Collins III, who was killed by Sean Urbanski because he was Black. Urbanski is serving life in prison.
Adams said he remembers "his daughter's shock, horror and grief upon hearing the news that his senseless murder was racially motivated.”
"No one should die because of their skin color or their religious beliefs," he said at the podium.
"Sadly, recent incidents are not just an isolated phenomenon or the loud voices of a small minority," he explained. "Hate is often times blatant, sometimes going unchallenged. Fighting against hate speech is the responsibility of every one of us, governments, community...[and] civic organizations."
Ron Watson, Maryland State Senator, District 23, not only spoke out against the hate crimes, "Today we stand strong as one united community saying enough is enough," but also used his time to speak about two bills: SB313 and SB956.
On SB313, Watson said, "research shows that because some races live longer than others, the result has usually been inequitable civil awards." He said this bill seeks to make "each and every life valuable as the other." If passed, he said, SB956 would protect public officials against certain threats.
"I remain honored to represent such a vibrant and resilient community," Watson said. "The one thing that always unites us in the face of a few narrow-minded people in narrow-minded groups who seek to divide us is our unwavering belief in God that we are all created equal."