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'It was unthinkable' | Remembering the 1999 firebombings at three Sacramento area synagogues

People across the country woke up to headlines of a hate crime in Sacramento in June 1999. Two brothers were convicted of firebombing three synagogues.

SACRAMENTO, California — People came together at Congregation B'nai Israel to remember 20 years after two brothers firebombed three Sacramento area synagogues. 

People across the country woke up to headlines of a hate crime in Sacramento in June 1999.

"It was completely shocking," said Rabbi Mona Alfi, Congregation B'nai Israel. "It was unthinkable to any of us something like that would happen here."

Two brothers, Benjamin Matthew Williams and James Tyler Williams, were convicted of firebombing three Sacramento area synagogues that night. The damage was estimated to be $1 million with the worst at Congregation B'nai Israel.

"The office building was just melted plastic and burned papers and they also came into this room and they tried to set this room on fire," Alfi said.

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Three Sacramento synagogues firebombed: A look back 20 years later

She saw her Sacramento synagogue in flames. Now, she wants the unity she saw afterward remembered.

Alfi found out about the fires when she called in to check on a friend who has cancer.

"She said all the synagogues in Sacramento burned down last night," Alfi recalled. "This is before we had cellphones. Before the internet was easily accessible and here I was, in the middle of nowhere, unable to find out what was going on here."

During the remembrance, they also reflected on the other hate crimes the Williams brothers were convicted of doing the summer of 1999, like the killings of Winfield Scott Mowder and Gary Matson because they were gay.

Alfi said the hate crimes were a turning point for Sacramento.

"I hope they say that was a turning point for Sacramento, where people woke up to the urgency of the moment. And we've been continuing to carry on that legacy of working together," Alfi said.

The Unity Center inside the California Museum was created after the firebombing attacks and other hate crimes committed by the Williams brothers. There are exhibits inside the center exploring the state's diverse people and cultures. They are offering free admission this weekend marking the 20 years after the "Summer of Hate."

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