Chapel Hill Review

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Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina, along with 10 other governors, has joined forces in calling on Congress to provide additional funding for the security of houses of worship, particularly in response to heightened threats against Jewish and Muslim communities. The bipartisan group aims to enhance the Nonprofit Security Grant Program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure the safety of religious centers facing potential threats.

The collective effort by a number of state leaders initiates a proactive measure for safeguarding places of worship.North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, along with 10 other governors, is urging Congress to allocate additional funding for enhancing security at houses of worship amidst heightened threats in the Jewish and Muslim communities, according to an article by WSCOTV. The governors have collectively signed a letter calling on Congress to expeditiously boost funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The letter highlights concerns about increased security threats to Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities and places of worship in the U.S. and its territories, citing the recent Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel and the escalating conflict. It emphasizes the need for greater resources to improve security at houses of worship and community centers of all faiths, races, and ethnicities in response to the evolving situation.

The urgency behind this call aligns with mounting concern over national security matters.Governors across the U.S. and territories appreciate Congress's support for FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), including the $305 million allocated for FY 2023. We support the letter from Senators Gillibrand, Peters, Rosen, and Murphy urging $500 million for FY 2024, President Biden's request for an additional $200 million, and Senator Schumer's call for $1 billion this week, according to press release by Governor Cooper. Given ongoing concerns, we advocate for swift consideration of a robust supplemental appropriation for NSGP to aid communities facing immediate security needs. The recent Hamas attacks in Israel raise concerns about security threats to Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities nationwide. As the conflict intensifies, clear and consistent humanitarian aid is crucial. Houses of worship and community centers of all faiths will need increased resources for security. Swiftly providing more funding through NSGP, a primary source for at-risk nonprofits, is critical to addressing the concerns of our constituents.

Given recent events at home and abroad, the increasing frequency of such acts lends gravity to the governors' appeal.Incidents of domestic terrorism and hate crimes targeting vulnerable communities have reached historic levels. In August, a man armed with a swastika-emblazoned rifle killed three Black Americans at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, according to press release by Governor Cooper. In October, an Illinois man committed a hate crime by killing a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy and injuring his mother, prompting a Justice Department investigation. Recently, an Indiana man was indicted for sending violent anti-Semitic threats to four Anti-Defamation League offices, and a suspect in Michigan was arrested for making threats against Palestinian Americans. This concerning trend is not anecdotal; the Washington Post reported on October 30 that the FBI is actively tracking and addressing it, engaging with community partners. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified on October 31 before the U.S. Senate noting that antisemitism in the U.S. has reached "historic levels" and emphasizing the need for vigilance.