Statement from the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia

Adopted on October 14, 2014; Updated April 7, 2015

In September, a group known as “The American Freedom Defense Initiative” (AFDI) asked to purchase advertising space on SEPTA as part of a campaign that AFDI has pursued in transit systems in several major cities across the country, including New York City, Washington and San Francisco.  SEPTA declined, due to the inflammatory anti-Islamic content of the messages.  On March 11, Judge Goldberg of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania granted AFDI’s motion for a preliminary injunction. The four-week ad run began on April 2 and will appear on 84 SEPTA buses.

We affirm the constitutional protection of free speech.  That does not diminish our condemnation of irresponsible speech.  The language used in these proposed advertisements is distorted, prejudicial, and inflames hatred.

It is our hope as religious leaders that hate-filled messages will not be carried throughout the neighborhoods of Philadelphia on the sides of SEPTA buses, trolleys and subways.  We condemn inflammatory messages that serve to divide, stigmatize and incite prejudice.  We will continue to reject attempts to stereotype any tradition or community.  Working as spiritual leaders and working with the members of the diverse faith and ethnic communities within Philadelphia, our challenge and our hope is to strengthen the ties among all communities to improve the quality of life.

The Religious Leaders Council calls on the greater Philadelphia community to join us in opposing intolerance, and building trust and understanding.

The Religious Leaders Council, founded and staffed by the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, represents 30 religious traditions within our community.  It is led by Co-Conveners:  Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Rabbi David Straus, Imam Anwar Muhaimin, and Bishop Claire Schenot Burkat.