by Patrice O'Neill, Executive Producer of Not In Our Town
Three people were shot to death on Sunday, April 13 by a known white supremacist who targeted the Jewish Community Center and a Jewish Retirement home in Overland Park, KS, just outside Kansas City, MO. Federal and local law enforcement officers have officially called the attack a hate crime. [1]
Our hearts go out to the families of Reat Griffin Underwood, Dr. William Lewis Corporon, Terri LaManno and to members of the Jewish community in the Kansas City area and across the country.
Not In Our Town will be covering community response in the Kansas City area with Kansas City Public Television (KCPT) [2].
Please join us in sending a message of support to the people of Overland Park! Change your Facebook profile to this image:
UPDATES:
An editorial in the Kansas City Star [3] offers clear steps on how to prevent hate crimes from happening, and highlights the importance of "turning poison into medicine."
Friday night [04/18], a youth organized candelight vigil was held [4] in Overland Park to commemorate the three victims. Hundreds of community members walked through the town with lit candles, following a special Shabbat service at the Jewish Community Center where two of the attacks took place.
Community members in Overland Park, KS came together Thursday to remember the three victims [5], KCUR.org reported. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder spoke before the crowd: "Every alleged hate crime, no matter who the intended target, is an affront to who we are, both as a country and as a people."