What We Do

Here are some examples of the public witness events we put together:

"We ALL Belong" Rallies

There is no better basis for our justice work than the conviction that all human beings belong, no matter what they look like, whom they love and their immigration status.

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Racial Unity Services

A fully functional multiracial society cannot be achieved without a sense of history and open, honest dialogue. -- Cornel West

Race defines America. When we ignore or brush it under the carpet, we lose a sense of our own history and the foundation of our culture. We ALL Belong is committed to bringing together people of all races for open and honest dialogues as well as concrete action for justice. We have organized a few racial unity services and rallies in Columbus and hope to more of these in Columbus and Cincinnati.

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Gay Straight Solidarity Ceremonies

All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential. -- Harvey Milk

Straight people who stand on the side lines while LGBT humanity is denied equal protection and affirmation are no better than Whites who didn't lift a hand to stop slavery or Jim Crowe laws. We organized two city-wide Interfaith Gay Straight Solidarity Ceremonies (2004 and 2012) where LGBT and straight couples renewed their vows to their partners.

Clergy and members from many faiths participated in these historic events. They included Baptist, Jewish, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Hindu and Unitarian Universalist faiths.

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9/11 Interfaith Solidarity Services

When Mahatma Gandhi was asked if he was a Hindu, he replied, “Yes I am. I am also a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist and a Jew.”

We must learn what Islam truly stands for, not from politicians, not from e-mail forwards, and not from the media, but from Muslims themselves by engaging in dialogue. -- Rabbi Jeremy Schneider

A fundamental principle of the founding of America is freedom from religious persecution. In the post-9/11 US, the harassment of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs,Buddhists and other religious minorities is common place.

Every year, close to 9/11, we gather to oppose Islamophobia and express solidarity with our Muslim sisters and brothers.

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Dialogues on Race, Religion, Gender and Sexual Orientation

The burden to unify the country does not fall exclusively on the minorities. Assimilation and integration constitute a two-way street. Those who want to join America must be received and welcomed by those who already think they own America.

[America`s] triumph over racism is incomplete. When old-line Americans, for example, treat people of other nationalities and races as if they were indigestible elements to be shunned and barred, they must not be surprised if minorities gather bitterly unto themselves and damn everybody else. -- Arthur Schlesinger

A diverse society where stereotypes abound and cross-cultural communication is minimized is on its way to Balkalization. Bringing people together for honest conversations on the topics of race, gender, religion and sexual orientation is not just a nice thing to do but a necessary thing to do in a pluralistic democracy.

Here is an example of a conversation on race that we organized (click to enlarge):

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