Please see our statement regarding the Coronavirus
here
.
New Jersey State Bar Association
Home
|
Join
|
About
|
News
|
Contact
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Linked In
Instagram
(
)
Register
Login
Close
Leadership
President's Page
Past President's Statements
Past President's Perspective
Officers - Executive Committee
Board of Trustees
Bylaws
2018 Bylaws Vote
NJSBA Policy and Procedures Manual
Our Commitment To Diversity
Commission on Racial Equity in the Law
NJSBA Reports
Board of Trustees Reports
Reports and Comments
Resolutions
Sections
Young Lawyers Division
Standing Committees
Special Committees
Committee Application
Leadership Library
Diversity
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity Committee
Leadership Academy
Mission Statement
Leadership Academy Committees
Leadership Academy Fellows
Awards and Recognition
Resources
Diversity Bar Associations
Diversity Action Plan and Checklist
2020 Diversity Summit Materials
Call For Speakers
Advocacy
Amicus Activities
Amicus Cases
Government Affairs
Professional Malpractice Fairness
Capitol Report
Capitol Report Archive
Grassroots Advocacy
Legislative Position Form
Distinguished Legislative Service Award
Robert B. Meyner Award
Legislative Policy
Judicial Administration
The NJSBA Arthur T. Vanderbilt Award For Excellence in Judicial Administration
Bench Bar Relations
Blue Ribbon Commission on Unmet Legal Needs
Benchmarks Civics Project
COVID-19
Resources
CareerHQ
CareerHQ - Search
CareerHQ: Your Listings
Temporary Practice Opportunities: Search Opportunities
Pro Bono
Opportunities
FAQ
Military Legal Assistance Program
Eligibility
Useful Links
Attorney Volunteers
Mass Disaster Response Program
NJSBA Pro Bono Awards
Lawyers Helping Lawyers
New Attorney Information
Solo and Small-Firm Practitioners Resource Center
NJICLE
NJ State Bar Foundation
NJ Commission on Professionalism
25th Anniversary
NJCOP's Greatest Achievement
What Professionalism Means
Professionalism Tips
25 Tips for 25 Years
2020 Professionalism Awards
Professionalism Awards - 2020 Quotes
Professionalism Awards - 2019 Quotes
Professionalism Awards - 2018 Quotes
NJCOP Principles and Pledge
Agenda & Accomplishments
Professionalism Awards
Programs & Projects
Articles of Interest
SIDEBAR: A Podcast of the NJSBA
NJ Lawyers Assistance Program
County Bar Associations
Specialty Bar Associations
Emergency Notifications and Disaster Preparedness
Coronavirus (COVID-2019) Info and Resources
NJSBA Pandemic Task Force
News and Notices
Educational Programs related to COVID-19
Archived Educational Programs
Advocacy
Employment and Assistance
For the Solo/Small-Firm Practitioner
Wellness
Other Resources
Search Our Site
CommunityNET
CLE
Earn Ethics Credits
CLE On-Demand
Your Portfolio
CLE Transcripts
CLE Compliance Tracking
MCLE Information
NJICLE
Meetings/Events
Your Portfolio
Annual Meeting 2021
Networking Events
The NJSBA Event App
Live CLE Programs
MCLE Requirements
NJICLE Special National Presentations
2021 Black History Month
2021 Black History Month Art Show
2021 Black History Month Essay Contest Finalists & Runners-up
Members
Home
>
News
>
PittsburghSynagoguePresidentKeefe
Statement from NJSBA President Keefe on the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting
Enter Title
The following is a statement from NJSBA President John E. Keefe Jr.:
On behalf of the entire membership of the New Jersey State Bar Association, and with a heavy
heart, I extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the mass
shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, who are now being laid to rest. I also
extend our sincerest wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were wounded, including all of
the first responders who reacted with such selflessness and courage.
Make no mistake. What transpired is a hate crime, pure and simple, against a Jewish
community at prayer. As more is revealed about the perpetrator of this horrific act of violence,
and his postings on social media sites are identified, we are learning that vitriolic rhetoric very
likely incited his heinous act.
Words matter. A reason that speech is so prized and protected is exactly because it is so
powerful. Throughout history words have proven to be the catalyst to action.
As we have seen in the past week – in the atrocities of violence ranging from pipe bomb threats,
to a shooting at a Kentucky grocery store, and to what occurred at the Pittsburgh synagogue --
words that fuel hateful, violent actions threaten our basic American values, principles and rights.
As stewards for the rule of law, the New Jersey State Bar Association stands by the right of free
expression that is a cornerstone of our Constitution. But, threats of violence and violent actions
that are directly related to vitriolic hate should be viewed as what they are: crimes.
As Dr. Martin Luther King stated in 1963 after the murder of four young girls in an Alabama
church, “we must be concerned not merely about who murdered them, but about the system,
the way of life, the philosophy which produced the murderers.”
We can all agree we want a peaceful, safer and a more harmonious country for ourselves, our
families and our children. To advance that goal, we call upon our brothers and sisters in the
legal community to be stewards of truth and to help educate our neighbors and friends about the
fundamental tenets of democracy.
Become a volunteer in one of the
New Jersey State Bar Foundation
’s
many programs that
educate the public about the law or in the NJSBA’s
Benchmarks Civics Program
, which sends
volunteer lawyers to speak to community groups to foster civics education and a better
understanding of our legal rights and responsibilities.
We also call on all those in positions of influence, in particular our political leaders, to be mindful
of their words and to always refrain from encouraging or engaging in hateful rhetoric that
undermines the safety of our citizens.
0
News
Scam Alert
New Jersey State Bar Association
One Constitution Square, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: (732) 249-5000 · Fax: (732) 249-2815 ·
[email protected]
© Copyright New Jersey State Bar Association. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy
|
Copyright Policy
|
NJSBA Staff Email Portal