Keeping Religious Communities Safe: Recording and Resources
Hate crimes continue to rise in the United States, and the St. Louis area is not immune. Increasingly, religious communities in our region are being targeted.
On January 20, 2022, local religious leaders, security experts, and law enforcement came together sharing how our community can mobilize against hate to protect our religiously diverse friends and neighbors. Hear stories from area religious leaders whose communities have confronted hateful acts. Then security experts and law enforcement speak about how to respond to and report threats of hate-based violence and share how to protect houses of worship.
Speakers included: Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation, Rev. Rodrick Burton of New Northside Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. Ghazala Hayat of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis, Scott Biondo from the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge, FBI St. Louis Division, Joshua Morrill.
Presented by Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis and Central Reform Congregation
Federal Resources
- FEMA Faith-Based Community Preparedness Resources
- Learn how to prepare houses of worship for various hazards, ensuring the safety and security of congregations, staff and facilities.
- FEMA Non-Profit Security Grant Program
- FBI Run, Hide Fight active shooter preparedness video
- Request a Guest Speaker form, St. Louis FBI
- The St. Louis FBI division encourages religious leaders to get in touch.
Resources for Continued Community Engagement and Advocacy
Use Interfaith Alliance’s “Partnering Against Hate Toolkit” to build, strengthen, and support community-led efforts to combat hate and build stronger alliances among our religiously diverse communities. This exceptional guide includes a wealth of tools to “challenge the forces of division that pit us against one another.” We highly recommend this toolkit as a resource for local religious leaders looking for a resource to guide deeper interfaith understanding and cooperation.
