Scores Join COR in Condemning Hate Crimes

Fighting back with prayer and commitment, the Orange County community struck a blow against hate crimes during a recent forum at Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church, 46 Maxwell in Irvine.

The ‘Stand Up & Speak Out’ event united clergy, civic leaders, law enforcement and concerned citizens in a movement to increase love, tolerance and understanding among residents and businesses in the area.

“The church must take a stand against hate crime, discrimination, racism, and oppression,” said COR Pastor Mark E. Whitlock II, who convened the gathering in response to hate crimes against a Yorba Linda family.

Other participants were Earl Dearing, Rusty Kennedy of the OC Human Relations Commission, Marion Wheeler of the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association, and members of New Spirit Baptist Church, Friendship Baptist Church, Graceland, Greater Light Baptist Church, OC Chamber of Commerce, OC NAACP, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Irvine Police Department.

The agenda consisted of prayer, testimonies from victims, and breakout sessions where attendees discussed strategies to improve relations in the diverse community and eliminate similar criminal attacks in the future.

“With God on our side,  I am confident we can eradicate hateful activities against people and property and make Orange County one of the safest, racially diverse places to live in America,” said Pastor Whitlock. 

To learn more about the ongoing campaign, call (949) 955-0014.

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