Interfaith Ceremony to Celebrate Uptown's 'Beautiful Differences' After Divisive Election

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — President-elect Donald Trump won the highest office in the nation by stressing people's fear of those who are different. But in the wake of Trump's election, religious leaders and politicians Uptown will meet this weekend to celebrate those differences.

City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez and leaders from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities will meet Sunday in Washington Heights for a Thanksgiving Celebration and Art Show, Rodriguez announced this week.

The ceremony was planned before Trump's election victory, but its message of unity will be more powerful following the fear many have felt since Nov. 8, a spokesman from Rodriguez' office told Patch.

"The results of last Tuesday's presidential election cannot be taken lightly," Councilman Rodriguez said in a statement. "A candidate from one of our two major political parties won on a campaign that trumpeted prejudice, discrimination, racism, misogyny and that appealed to a dangerous strand of our country's past that so many of us thought was in the rearview."

Since Trump's election several hate crimes have occurred within New York City, prompting the city's five District Attorney's to write a joint statement denouncing the rise of hate.

Sunday's Thanksgiving celebration will be held at the Hebrew Tabernacle on Fort Washington Avenue and 185th Street. Joining Rodriguez at the ceremony will be leaders from the Forty Tryon Jewish Center, Trinity Grace Church, Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood and several other faith organizations.

"We expect a major outpouring of love and celebration, aimed at building a brighter tomorrow," Rodrigues said in a statement.

Photo: Google maps street view May 2016