We stand with Jewish community, call for unity to end division, inequality

Contact: Fred Redmond, 412-562-2307

(PITTSBURGH) -- United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard issued the following statement regarding the act of terror that claimed 11 lives at Tree of Life Synagogue, as well as injured six others, including first responders, this past weekend:

“The massacre at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh this past weekend has stunned our home city. We are all brokenhearted at the loss of life, at the targeting of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, and at the depths of violence and division to which our society has fallen.

“The man responsible for the terrorist attack that has sent a wave of fear and grief throughout Pittsburgh’s East End made clear and repeated anti-Semitic comments before, during, and after his act. We must be relentless in our continued call for unity and in the fight to end anti-Semitism and hate of any kind – both in our own city and around the world.

“Our leadership joins all of those mourning this senseless act. We also recognize that we must redouble our efforts to combat the prejudice that motivated this heinous act of violence. We must reach out to our members and our communities and talk about how we can overcome the divisions that plague our society. 

“This is a conversation we cannot delay or dilute. We must stand together, in unwavering solidarity, with communities everywhere in the struggle to bring safety, freedom and equality to all.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.

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Media Contacts

Communications Director:
Jess Kamm at 412-562-2446

USW@WORK (USW magazine)
Editor R.J. Hufnagel

For industry specific inquiries,
Call USW Communications at 412-562-2442

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United Steelworkers
Communications Department
60 Blvd. of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222