Old South Church responds to Charlottesville, Boston 'free speech' rallies

Following the events in Charlottesville and in anticipation of the planned "free speech" rally on the Boston Common, Old South Church joined with other houses of faith across Greater Boston in a Joint Statement from Boston Area Religious Leaders.

The seven days between the two rallies were packed with planning and work. Church members attended non-violent direct action trainings and interfaith gatherings. We prayed and we prepared, readying ourselves in case Saturday's counter-protest brought similar violence as Charlottesville. 

On Friday evening, August 18, Old South Church joined The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization for an Interfaith Gathering of Unity, Love, and Strength. With well over a thousand people at Temple Israel, and thousands more watching from home, we stood with our Christian, Jewish, and Muslim brothers and sisters against hatred and to affirm the power of love and righteousness. Many civic leaders were in attendance, including Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Governor Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, and Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans.

On the morning of the planned "free speech" rally on Boston Common, 200 people gathered for 8:00 am worship at Old South Church (video and audio available). Guest speaker Rev. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, offered the homily and OSC Associate Minister John Edgerton briefed the congregation on the planned counter-protests happening around Boston that day. Following worship, scores of clergy set off for the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury to join with the Black Lives Matter march and rally which would make its way to the Boston Common. 

In Rev. John Dorhauer's words, “Boston became America’s clarion call to the bigot and the racist — your words and your hatred will be resisted. They will be drowned out by our love and compassion. You are not even heard. You are irrelevant. Today, love comes.”

Read Boston drowns out racial hatred with faith and love via UCC News