Statement From The Grand Lodge of Wisconsin Concerning Terrorist Plot

In reference to the story from yesterday about the planned attack on Milwaukee's Scottish Rite Center by an Islamic extremist, this message was posted by the Grand Master at about 2:00PM today on the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin's Facebook page:

For Release
Dousman, Wisconsin

27 January 2016

We are thankful to law enforcement for thwarting a potential tragedy at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Milwaukee which houses several Masonic organizations as well as the Dyslexia Center for Children. Freemasonry promotes love among all people regardless of religious belief. One of the five tenets of Scottish Rite Freemasonry is tolerance. Indeed, Freemasonry is one of the few organizations in the world that include and welcome those of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths.

Many of the founders of this country were Freemasons and thus our freedoms of speech, assembly, press—and especially of religion—can be traced directly to the tenets of Freemasonry. As a result, Freemasonry over the course of time has been the target of attack by the intolerant zealot. We will continue to promote, protect and defend love for all people regardless of religious belief as we have for over three hundred years. Again, we are so thankful for law enforcement for being vigilant in protection of those we serve. 

Franklin J. Struble
Grand Master of Masons in Wisconsin

Michael A. DeWolf, 33°
Scottish Rite Deputy for Wisconsin