U.S. Attorney Dena J. King | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Dena J. King | U.S. Department of Justice
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina will host a film screening and panel discussion on September 26, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. This event is part of the Justice Department’s “United Against Hate” Week, which runs from September 23 to 27, 2024.
The featured documentary, "Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life," focuses on the Pittsburgh community's response to the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting. The film showcases resilience, unity, and healing efforts following what is noted as the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. Through storytelling and survivor recollections, it explores hate crimes' impact and how diverse communities can come together after such tragedies.
Post-screening, a panel discussion will be led by representatives from various local authorities including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI in Charlotte, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office, and Mecklenburg Metropolitan Interfaith Network. They will discuss hate crimes and emphasize reporting hate incidents to law enforcement while providing information on prevention and response measures.
“Events like this help raise awareness about the impact of hate crimes,” said Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “By sharing stories of loss, strength, and unity, we want to educate the public but also facilitate a meaningful dialogue about hate crimes and taking a stand against hatred in all its forms. The United Against Hate initiative is part of my Office’s core mission to protect civil rights and increase safety across Western North Carolina.”
Launched in 2022 by the Department of Justice in response to rising hate crimes nationwide, United Against Hate aims to unite law enforcement with community organizations through outreach and education while building trust with vulnerable groups.
Since its inception in Western North Carolina, this initiative has included activities such as youth summits with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and meetings with faith-based communities focused on protecting places of worship.
“While not all hate incidents rise to the level of a hate crime,” King stated, “the impact and trauma they can inflict are very real. Reporting these incidents allows law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate appropriately.” She emphasized her office's commitment to partnering with communities for safety and inclusivity.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, September 26
- Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
- Location: First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte (Fellowship Hall), 200 West Trade Street
The event is free for public attendance with registration available at https://fpc.tiny.us/repairingtheworld.
For more details on United Against Hate initiatives or immediate assistance regarding hate crimes:
- Visit www.civilrights.justice.gov
- Call emergency services at 9-1-1
- Report via FBI hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.FBI.gov
- Contact Civil Rights Division at 800-253-3931
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