MARCHA stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in protest around the globe of the vicious ways how black persons have been treated, injured and killed by members of the police, and the apparent immunity police officers receive after such brutal attacks. It is with great alarm and a righteous anger that we have seen the response of President Trump and his administration to the legitimate and peaceful protests of those who are seeking justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the long list of victims of police violence and abuse of power. The Black Lives Matter protests are calling for a true reform of a system that reveals practices that are racist and support white supremacy.
The Church cannot remain silent or indifferent in the face of such injustices. To do so is to condone further violence against black people and the continued erosion of our democratic form of government. Therefore, we call on the global church to affirm and proclaim the sacredness of human life in all its diversity; commit itself to work for the eradication of the sins of racism as it is expressed through colonialism, white privilege and white supremacy; and embody our baptismal vows “to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves”.
CALL TO ACTION:
We call the Council of Bishops to join our ecumenical and interfaith partners to denounce the sin of systemic racism in the United States and its expressions in other parts of the world. (UMC Book of Resolutions #3377 “Opposition to Racial Profiling in the United States”) We invite the Central Conference bishops to share their wisdom derived from their own struggle against injustices in similar situations.
We call the United Methodist Pastors and Congregations to denounce racism as antithetical to the gospel, lead their congregation in prayerful reflection of the dire effects of racism and white privilege, use the resources addressing these issues produced by the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) and the other general agencies; and organize constructive dialogues of communities of color with political leaders, police departments and grassroot organizations in their communities. (UMC Book of Resolution #3374 “Annual Conferences’ Districts’ and Local Congregations’ Responsibilities for Eradication of Racism”)
We call our Central Conference siblings to pray for the United States as it struggles with the effects of racism and white privilege and to denounce any practices of systemic oppressions that are enforced upon them.
We call the General Conference Delegates to respond to the present crisis with pastoral actions and programs that will bring reconciliation, support equity, and work together to dismantle racism and white privilege in our denomination and society. To that end, we urge the General Conference to support the important work of the Racial Ethnic Plans, GCORR and GBCS in their programming and advocacy for racial ethnic ministries.
MARCHA supports the statements made by racial ethnic caucuses, general agencies and the Council of Bishops in regards to denouncing racism. We encourage all people of faith to be in solidarity with those who seek peace and justice. As an act of witness, light a candle every evening and pray for peace with justice in the United States and the world. True peace cannot be achieved without True Justice. “And justice will produce lasting peace and security.” (Isaiah 32 CEV)