Hate and intolerance has been on the rise across the nation and in the Commonwealth. As a community, we seek refuge where we can feel safe and connected. The First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Kingston was one of those places.
Early on the morning of July 4th, a man vandalized the First Parish Unitarian Church in Kingston. He tore down Pride and Black Lives Matter Flags from the building, and set them on fire, which in turn, charred the building. The vandal also destroyed 200 year old wooden shutters, smashed antique glass windows, and sprayed a fire extinguisher around the interior of the building. Damages to the building totaled tens of thousands of dollars, but the hurtful nature of the crime, destroying a safe space for LGBTQ+ community members and their allies to gather in peace is immeasurable.
We stand firm in our support of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church and the community of Kingston. Hate and violence is unacceptable in all it’s forms. And to the members of marginalized communities, in Kingston, we know how frightening and isolating it can be to have a space where you feel fully accepted and embraced be attacked. Please remember that you have people and organizations in your corner and in your community.
— from a MassEquality press release
More: massequality.org
The community is also raising funds toward restoration. As of July 16, they’ve raised $30,031 of their $30K goal—over 100 percent in just six days. To contribute even more, or simply to learn more, go to faithify.org.
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