On Saturday, August 22nd, Acting Police Chief Jared Phelps coordinated a zoom conversation between himself and community faith leaders representing Prince William County’s Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities.

Leading the conversation, Will Archer, an Evangelist from Potomac Valley Church stated “we’re a non-partisan group of believers.” He emphasized that “the key is for us all to come together.” Highlighting that “we all share deep love for this county.”

Acting Chief Phelps center on the police department’s goal to “ensure [that] Prince William County remains a safe and secure community” Earlier that day, the Prince William County Police Department Facebook page posted an image of statement from Acting Chief Phelps, which he referenced during the conversation.

Prince William County NAACP president Cozy Bailey, former marine corps said “it is my prayer that we not have acrimonious discussion about what occurred but that we come together to solve the issues that face us.” It is important to him that the community “avoid riots.”

Martin Luther King Junior’s statement that “Peace is not the absence of tension but the presence of justice” was quoted.

Dr. Varn, another former marine, wants people to “stop talking at each other and start talking to each other.” In order to have “conversations that lead to systemic solutions.” Expressing relief that it is “not just African Americans having conversations among themselves” rather the whole community engaging in these issues.

Jillian Perry, past president and current Vice President of Membership at Congregation Ner Shalom quoted Deuteronomy, “justice, justice, you shall pursue.” She sees Prince William as “one of the strongest faith based communities.” Her desire is to “show [unity] to everyone else.”

Dr. Keith Savage Senior Servant at First Baptist Church Manassas and Co-Chair of VOICE asked “How do we define neighbor?” Answering by saying a neighbor “should be anybody that God has made.” In these conversations he believes “nobody can be discounted” in order to achieve “true unity” because “otherwise it becomes fake.”

Dr. Savage quoted writer and civil rights activist Audre Lorde’s statement that “Silence will not save you.”

He continued to say that “what gets lots in unity is the experiences of the people who aren’t a part of our congregation.” Understanding one another is what leads to unity. Acting Chief Phelps is his friend and “friends hold friends accountable.”

Expressing that he is “tired of 400 years of saying we’ll get there, it’s time to make it happen”

Da’in Johnson* from the Muslim Association of Virginia’s Dar al Noor began with a prayer “that all these efforts prove materially, physically, and spiritually beneficial.” Highlighting that “Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all Abrahamic faiths” thus “we have an automatic brotherhood.” He also mentioned the recently established MAV Anti-Racism Task Force.

Quoting the Holy Quran which says “stand up for justice even if it be against yourself or your kinsmen because God knows and is nearer than both of them”

He believes that “we need to take action, demonstrable action” and a “sense of healing” as well as “partnership.” Reminding the group that “The Creator looks at what’s in our hearts, spirits, and minds” rather than skin color or outward attributes.

Joshua Wesley, Associate Pastor at Chapel Springs Church in Bristow described himself as a “pastor’s kid” who “love[s] church.” Acknowledging that “you can never fix a problem you are unwilling to see.”

Closing the conversation Acting Chief Phelps reiterated that “partnership is very important” and that “exposure and experience is an important part of that [partnership]” While he agrees “conversation is great, communication is great” he wondered aloud “what is that one next step?”

Providing a response, Dr. Savage declared “we have to dig a lot deeper.”

Archer agreed “this is just the beginning.”

*Da’in Johnson is the author’s father