New York - 5 November 2020
1. Various of faith leaders leading prayer, song
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2. SOUNDBITE (English) Naomi Less, Lab/Shul founder:
"We wanted to really create a net, no matter what the results, to be able to be here for us and to know that no matter what, all of these faith practices, we are one. And that's New York City and that should be America."
3. Pastor drumming
4. The Rev. Jacqui Lewis leading chant
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5. SOUNDBITE (English) The Rev. Jacqui Lewis, senior pastor, Middle Collegiate Church:
"When we don't know the outcome, which we don't right now. We know who we are. We know that we are a love army. We know that we are the resisters, we are the resistance. We know that we are anti-tyranny and we are for love. And it's our collective identity that will make America loving, just, fair, strong, equitable and free for the very first time."
6. Various of people gathering in prayer
7. Person writing with chalk
8. People singing
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9. SOUNDBITE (English) The Rev. Jacqui Lewis, senior pastor, Middle Collegiate Church:
"The common calling to love neighbor as yourself is in every major religion. And that is what gives me hope. That in the end, people will rise up and take care of each other. In the end, we know how to have each other's back.
10. People singing, praying
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11.SOUNDBITE (English) The Rev. Jacqui Lewis, senior pastor, Middle Collegiate Church:
"Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. We understand love beats hate. We understand love beats hate and no one can take that away from us."
FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4295988
Outside of Judson Memorial Church near Washington Square Park in New York, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Muslims and other faith groups joined together in New York City at a post-vote ritual gathering of prayer, song and solidarity following months of a pandemic, protests over racial injustice and a presidential campaign marked by fear and polarizing views.
The inter-faith coalition event took place on a day of electoral uncertainty when neither President Donald Trump nor his challenger Joe Biden had cleared the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency.
"We wanted to really create a net, no matter what the results," said Naomi Less, founder of Jewish organization Lab/Shul, which helped organize the event.
About a dozen people then gathered around a circle formed by dry, yellow autumn leaves on the street and used chalks to scribble words like "Peace; freedom; equity; and love.
Addressing the crowd, Jacqui Lewis, pastor of the Middle Collegiate Church in New York's East Village, said, "The common calling to love neighbor as yourself is in every major religion. And that is what gives me hope. That in the end, people will rise up and take care of each other."
Fighting back tears she added, "We understand love beats hate and no one can take that away from us."
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
