DECATUR, Ga. — Faith leaders from a cross-section of religions, community leaders, law enforcement officials and the general public will come together Saturday for a "Summit on Violence." The event will include a panel discussion on gun violence in metro Atlanta, dissension between police and communities, and actionable steps to build trust and diminish conflict.
"We are facing a crisis of multifaceted issues involving poverty, unemployment, lack of education, systematic injustice, cultural misunderstanding, ethnic and racial intolerance and other conditions that plant seeds of division and conflict. It is important that we as a society hold onto our Faith as we forge our way forward in finding solutions.," said the Rev. Roy A. Lee, an organizer of the event.
Lee told Channel 2's Tom Regan, the recent police shootings and ensuing protests and riots in several cities underscore the urgent need for open community discussion and input in metro Atlanta
The event, will feature leaders from Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist religious communities in Metro Atlanta.
"We as rabbis, imams, swamis, pastors and priests should take the lead in coming together to classify objectives and begin the conversation on how we can facilitate restoration in our communities and put our faith into action. When we as faith leaders develop a greater understanding of the complex and comprehensive factors which contribute to the present state of affairs, we can take more effective steps in our pursuit of peace, love and justice.
The Summit On Violence will take place Saturday, October 1 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 2560 Tilson Road, Decatur, Ga. The summit will begin at 10 a.m., and conclude at 1 p.m. All are invited to attend.
Cox Media Group
