Religious organizations stand together after several arson fires target places of worship
TACOMA, Wash. - The City of Tacoma has seen an 80% increase in arson year to date compared to last year's numbers, and several incidents this year involved faith-based communities.
For the leaders of religious organizations, it is a concerning trend.
In July, The New Hope Baptist Church on East Portland Avenue burned down. Investigators said the cause is suspicious.
In September, Tacoma Police say they arrested a man for arson at the Oasis Hope Center.
In October, investigators say someone set fire to the Islamic Center of Tacoma.
This week, Tacoma Police arrested a man they say is responsible for setting six fires, one of them at a Catholic School.
"It feels pretty personal and it feels like that faith community is being targeted," said Sandy Windley.
Windley is with Associated Ministries of Tacoma.
She says the feeling of being targeted extends outside the arsons in and around Tacoma. She says there has also been issues of vandalism and violence targeting religious organizations throughout the state.
Several religious groups are organizing this weekends to stand up against this violence.
On Sunday, Associated Ministries of Tacoma, along with the Muslim Association of Puget Sound-American Muslim Empowerment Network (MAPS-AMEN), Islamic Center of Tacoma, and the Faith Action Network are holding a solidarity event. The goal is to stand together, despite different religious beliefs, and to condemn this violence as a community.
"An attack on one, is an attack on all. And this is our community, for all of us, not just some of us. And it’s important for us to just get to know your neighbors," she said.
This meeting of solidarity with include leaders in the faith-based community, as well as elected leaders.
The event takes place Sunday at 2 p.m. at Tacoma Community College.
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