Advertisement
In Washington, D.C., religious leaders gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and marched silently across the National Mall to honor the life and legacy of this giant figure in American and civil rights history. Part of the A.C.T. to End Racism Rally, the event was organized by the National Council of Churches and drew thousands to the nation’s capital. The Rev. Rob Keithan of All Souls Unitarian Church in D.C. attended the rally and said that his congregation embraces a plan for a multiyear truth and reconciliation process: “South Africa did this work long ago,” he said. “The United States still has not done the work it needs to do.” ( Religion News Service- 4.4.18)
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, joined houses of worship across the country to toll their bells at exactly 6:01 p.m. on April 4 in a tribute to King. Tim Livingston, a co-leader of the congregation’s Racial Justice Initiative and a leader of the service honoring King, said that the service aligned with the congregation’s ongoing racial justice work: “We need to continue to remind ourselves of his message.” ( News-Gazette- 4.4.18)
In Saratoga Springs, New York, members of the community came together for a silent march through the city’s center. The Rev. Joe Cleveland, of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs, said that he felt that participation in the local march was important to publicly acknowledge that racism exists and is unacceptable, and to show that members of the community are committed to carrying King’s vision of true justice forward. ( Albany Times-Union- 4.1.18)
More coverage:
“La Crosse dramatization poses a question: Are we listening to MLK Jr.?” ( La Crosse Tribune- 4.2.18)
“Progress and backlash highlighted in Springfield MLK ” ( Valley Advocate- 4.5.18)
San Diego congregation votes to offer sanctuary
As sanctuary efforts come under attack in many cities in California--including San Diego--First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego announced that it has voted to house someone in sanctuary while they work through their immigration case. “We can house one person or a small family at a time and be with them as their case goes through court,” said the congregation’s minister, the Rev. Kathleen Owens. “Hopefully it would end well, and when they leave, then we would be open to another.” ( KPBS- 4.4.18)
More coverage:
“Unitarian church votes to become sanctuary to immigrants facing deportation” ( Los Angeles Times- 4.3.18)
“Iglesia Local Ofrecerá Santuario a Inmigrantes en Casos de Deportación” ( La Prensa- 4.5.18)