Source: The Arizona Republic
On October 8, 1999, The Arizona Republic reported that an interfaith rally, attended by approximately 80 people from various faiths, was held on October 7th in downtown Phoenix, AZ protesting hate violence in their communities and across the nation. Phoenix's Stop the Hate rally, sponsored by the InterFaith Action Coalition of Arizona and No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice, was one of about 350 events held nationwide as part of a campaign launched by the Fellowship of Reconciliation and The Interfaith Alliance. Priscilla Sharp, a Baha'i who is secretary of the InterFaith Action Coalition of Arizona, stated: "Religious people have to be the first to stand up and (offer) support...The point is, we should be able to come together and pray without our political prejudices or convictions getting in the way."