Protecting Houses of Worship From Hate and Violence

0:00 Speaker 1 Sunday morning, Labor Day weekend, 9-11 is coming up, Rosh Hashanah is coming up, and so many things going on. Well, with us today is Karen Schneier-Dresbeck, and she is Rabbi Schneier, my friend for 30 years, maybe longer, daughter, and she went to Washington last week, and the Attorney General’s office is worried about hate crimes and is worried about anti-Semitism,

0:31 and it’s just overall hate crimes. Well, Karen Schneier-Dresbeck, always good to talk to you. Now, your dad is over 96 years old. You’re running the Appeal of Conscience Foundation right now. Give us an update on how the meeting in Washington went.

0:51 Speaker 2 Well, good morning, John. Thanks for having me on. I have to tell you, we are so appreciative to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon at the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for hosting this really, really critical high-level meeting with the top religious leaders in the United States, specifically talking about protecting houses of worship and people of faith. And,

1:17 of course, His Eminence Archbishop Elpida Forrest was there. The Apostolic Nuncia was there. There were the key faith leaders there, John, representing 250 million Americans of faith in this country. Think about that number, 250 million people. So it is very clear that our nation is a nation of people of faith.

1:41 And here’s what we talked about. What we talked about is, let’s just take a step back. The federal government has a legitimate and compelling interest in protecting America’s ability to exercise their religion free from violence, intimidation, and obstruction, right?

2:01 And we need to remind everyone, this is about our First Amendment right to worship in this country, right? It is not about, strictly, freedom of speech. This is our First Amendment right. It is guaranteed in our First Amendment right, and...

2:18 Freedom of speech does not overshadow freedom to worship. So we had, it was an incredible meeting. I don’t know if you’re aware, there’s legislation out there. The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice is vehemently trying to prosecute people who attack people of faith. They are supportive.

2:43 They are relentless. And we’re very, very fortunate to have them advocating for us.

2:52 Speaker 1 And it’s very important, you know, the federal government, and I say this, that the free world is free as long as the free world has a strong Washington. And Europe, I can’t believe Europe, how weak they are. And.

3:11 I’m glad that Israel and the United States, which has the two greatest intelligence outfits, are working together. And what is the attorney general’s office going to do? Are they going to look at certain violations of hate crimes more? Oh, yes.

3:32 Speaker 2 They are relentlessly pursuing those who violate people of faith and attack houses of worship. It is in the forefront of what they do. They are relentless in pursuit. At the same time, you know, we need tougher legislation in this country. Look, if you know what the consequences are if you dare to attack houses a police officer, right?

3:58 You know what the consequences are if you attack one of our government leaders. People need to understand the consequences of attacking a house of worship and a person of faith. And so I think there needs to be tougher legislation.

4:11 And we’re not talking about on the local level, John. We’re talking on the federal level. So we do have an incredible assistant attorney general. This is her passion. She is a Sikh. She grew up also being discriminated because of her religion. And she feels this passionately. So we’re very fortunate here. I don’t know if you’re aware there’s

4:31 also a bill out there, bipartisan bill called the Sacred Act, which would have to pass the House and the Senate in order for it to be implemented. So I think, you know, what was wonderful about this meeting is that all these faith leaders stood in solidarity with the Department of Justice saying, this is something we will not tolerate.

4:56 And one of our faith leaders had a great comment, which was, that faith can function without freedom. We’ve seen faith all over the world in communist countries and places that are extremely difficult to practice faith. But we know that faith can function without freedom. But freedom cannot function without faith, and certainly not in the United States. Wow.

5:31 Speaker 1 You’re 100% right. And we all have to, the free world has to bind together to keep the free world free. And, you know, I admire your dad for everything he’s done for the last 30, 35 years. And I admire you for taking up and following your dad. And thank you so much for coming on this Sunday morning. And God

5:55 bless you. God bless America. And God bless the world. And thank you so much.

6:00 Speaker 2 Thank you, Judd. Amen to all of that.