Biden Honors Victims Of Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

Pittsburgh PA

27 October, 2021

11:27 AM

Description

PITTSBURGH, PA — President Joe Biden on Wednesday marked the third anniversary of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting with a statement paying tribute to the victims of the nation's deadliest antisemitic act. "As we mark three years since this heinous attack, we resolve to remember the lives lost and commit to protecting a future worthy of their memories," Biden said in remarks released by the White House. "May the survivors and the families of the victims hold fast to the teachings of their faith and find comfort in the embrace of their community and their country." The 11 victims of the three congregations were gathering to worship when they died. Legal wrangling thus far has prevented the man accused of killing them, Robert Bowers, 49, of Baldwin, from standing trial. Biden's remarks came hours before a scheduled ceremony in Pittsburgh's Schenley Park to mark the anniversary of the massacre. Biden noted that the shooting "revealed the unyielding character of a community," mentioning first responders who rushed into harm's way; teens who organized a neighborhood vigil immediately after the shooting; the art teacher who painted who painted hearts and stars on the windows of a Squirrel Hill Starbucks and the man who designed the "Stronger Than Hate" logo that became a rallying cry for a city in mourning. "That day and those that followed remind all of us to embrace the better angels of our nature – and to turn pain into purpose," Biden said. "We must always stand up and speak out against antisemitism with clarity and conviction, and rally against the forces of hate in all its forms, because silence is complicity. "We must recognize in others our shared humanity and strive to summon unexpected faith in unanticipated moments — in the hope that we might heal and rebuild." Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.