June 4, 2026
As American Jews and Muslims, we stand together in reaffirming the core promise of our nation: that people of all backgrounds are entitled to dignity, equality, and freedom of conscience.
We are deeply concerned by rhetoric surrounding recent events in Frisco that demeans fellow Americans and treats entire communities as caricatures rather than individuals. The recent “rally against rednecks” and the ensuing counter-protest are clear examples of what can happen when we fail to recognize the common humanity in our neighbors. The presence of anti-Muslim as well as anti-Indian signage and rhetoric against a backdrop of chants of “Jews will not replace us,” should give all of us pause.
Language that targets any community, whether Muslims, Jews, or others, undermines the pluralism that defines our country. We also recognize that language used to characterize others, including terms such as “anti-redneck,” can deepen divisions and diminish the dignity of those it seeks to describe.
From our earliest days, the United States has aspired to be a place where, in the words of George Washington, “Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now (with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events) behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People—a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” That vision has enabled our communities to contribute meaningfully to the fabric of American life and has sustained us through moments when that promise has been tested.
We urge everyone to reject the use of demeaning and divisive speech and to commit to respectful, principled engagement across lines of difference. Our shared future depends not on amplifying grievance, but on affirming the equal dignity of every person and strengthening the bonds that unite us as neighbors and fellow citizens.
