A STATEMENT FROM THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST REGARDING THE GRAND JURY DECISION IN NEW YORK

Thursday, December 4, 2014

For More Information, Contact:

Katelynn Aubrey

Communications Coordinator

New York Conference of the United Church of Christ

315-446-3073 x10

kaubrey@nyucc.org

 

A STATEMENT FROM THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST REGARDING THE GRAND JURY DECISION IN NEW YORK

 

It is an inexplicable travesty that the same words used to express our dismay and anger over last week's Ferguson verdict are now applicable verbatim in the New York.

 "We affirm the anger and grief of all people of good conscience who are committed to justice and peace. We stand in solidarity with all African Americans who continue to live in fear of the ignorant, innate institutional racism that threatens daily the lives of young black men women and children. These are our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers, our precious children--our family in Christ.

 We pray for non-violent demonstration and official response to the outrage that is now being experienced and conveyed. Violence is not the path to justice, it is the root of all injustice. Silence in the face of injustice is not an option. We therefore cry out with a loud voice for justice in our land plagued with racism."

 We are in agreement with Mayor de Blasio's statement: "Anyone who believes in the values of this country should feel called to action right now."  As leaders of the United Church of Christ in New York and throughout the nation we stand in solidarity with those bearing witness through prayer, protest, and vigil.  We call for a national examination of our judicial system and other institutions spiritually perverted by racism.

 Even under clouds of despair we affirm the relentless hope that is ours as a people of faith. May this hope empower us to speak boldly and loudly to shed light on the systematic racism that daily threatens our Beloved Community.

We cannot move forward faithfully until there is honest reform to systems that institutionalize and legitimize racist practices.

 

Reverend David Gaewski, New York UCC Conference Minister

Reverend Geoffrey Black, UCC General Minister and President

Reverend Linda Jaramillo, UCC Executive Minister for Justice and Witness Ministries

Reverend J. Bennett Guess, UCC Executive Minister for Local Church Ministries

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