SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
At least 32 faith leaders were arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday as they protested the militarization of the border and the Trump administration's treatment of asylum-seekers. Photo: @UniteThePoor/Twitter)
'Not Your Average Demonstration': Faith Leaders Arrested Demanding Demilitarization of US Border
"In the face of unfounded fear, racism, and violence, courageous action is necessary."
Dec 10, 2018
Dozens of faith leaders were arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border in California on Monday after they confronted border patrol agents, demanding the demilitarization of the area and calling on the Trump administration to end its detention and deportation of asylum-seekers.
"How we act in these moments determines who we will become as a nation." --Bishop Minerva G. Carcano
More than 400 religious leaders and immigrant rights advocates attended the Human Rights Day protest, with many carrying signs reading "Love Knows No Borders" and "No Cages, No Walls." At least 32 were arrested, with authorities in riot gear claiming leaders from a number of faiths had entered a "restricted area" as they handcuffed them.
"We believe in freedom, and we know we cannot rest until it comes. So, with that, we are ready," said Rev. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign just before the leaders were arrested.
"As a Quaker, I believe there is that of the divine in all of us," said Laura Boyce of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), which organized the action. "This belief calls us to stand with those fleeing violence and poverty, and to call on our government to uphold the human rights of migrants and end the militarization of border communities. In the face of unfounded fear, racism, and violence, courageous action is necessary."
The rally was the first event in a planned week of direct actions, ending on International Migrants Day on December 18. Those who participated came from a number of Christian denominations as well as Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and other faiths.
A small group of Central American refugees has been the latest target of President Donald Trump's xenophobic fear-mongering regarding immigration; they arrived at the border late last month after fleeing violence and unrest in their home countries and traveling for weeks.
The protest came two weeks after border patrol agents closed the border's busiest port of entry--which the Trump administration has repeatedly claimed it wants immigrants to enter the country through--and fired tear gas at asylum seekers including many families with young children.
"Showing up to welcome and bless children, mothers, and fathers seeking asylum from very difficult and dehumanizing circumstances is the right and humane thing to do," said Bishop Minerva G. Carcano, who read a list of names of people who have been killed by border patrol agents and while crossing the border. "How we act in these moments determines who we will become as a nation."
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
american friends service committeehuman rightsimmigrationliz theoharispoor peoples campaignrefugeesreligion
Dozens of faith leaders were arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border in California on Monday after they confronted border patrol agents, demanding the demilitarization of the area and calling on the Trump administration to end its detention and deportation of asylum-seekers.
"How we act in these moments determines who we will become as a nation." --Bishop Minerva G. Carcano
More than 400 religious leaders and immigrant rights advocates attended the Human Rights Day protest, with many carrying signs reading "Love Knows No Borders" and "No Cages, No Walls." At least 32 were arrested, with authorities in riot gear claiming leaders from a number of faiths had entered a "restricted area" as they handcuffed them.
"We believe in freedom, and we know we cannot rest until it comes. So, with that, we are ready," said Rev. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign just before the leaders were arrested.
"As a Quaker, I believe there is that of the divine in all of us," said Laura Boyce of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), which organized the action. "This belief calls us to stand with those fleeing violence and poverty, and to call on our government to uphold the human rights of migrants and end the militarization of border communities. In the face of unfounded fear, racism, and violence, courageous action is necessary."
The rally was the first event in a planned week of direct actions, ending on International Migrants Day on December 18. Those who participated came from a number of Christian denominations as well as Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and other faiths.
A small group of Central American refugees has been the latest target of President Donald Trump's xenophobic fear-mongering regarding immigration; they arrived at the border late last month after fleeing violence and unrest in their home countries and traveling for weeks.
The protest came two weeks after border patrol agents closed the border's busiest port of entry--which the Trump administration has repeatedly claimed it wants immigrants to enter the country through--and fired tear gas at asylum seekers including many families with young children.
"Showing up to welcome and bless children, mothers, and fathers seeking asylum from very difficult and dehumanizing circumstances is the right and humane thing to do," said Bishop Minerva G. Carcano, who read a list of names of people who have been killed by border patrol agents and while crossing the border. "How we act in these moments determines who we will become as a nation."
Dozens of faith leaders were arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border in California on Monday after they confronted border patrol agents, demanding the demilitarization of the area and calling on the Trump administration to end its detention and deportation of asylum-seekers.
"How we act in these moments determines who we will become as a nation." --Bishop Minerva G. Carcano
More than 400 religious leaders and immigrant rights advocates attended the Human Rights Day protest, with many carrying signs reading "Love Knows No Borders" and "No Cages, No Walls." At least 32 were arrested, with authorities in riot gear claiming leaders from a number of faiths had entered a "restricted area" as they handcuffed them.
"We believe in freedom, and we know we cannot rest until it comes. So, with that, we are ready," said Rev. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign just before the leaders were arrested.
"As a Quaker, I believe there is that of the divine in all of us," said Laura Boyce of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), which organized the action. "This belief calls us to stand with those fleeing violence and poverty, and to call on our government to uphold the human rights of migrants and end the militarization of border communities. In the face of unfounded fear, racism, and violence, courageous action is necessary."
The rally was the first event in a planned week of direct actions, ending on International Migrants Day on December 18. Those who participated came from a number of Christian denominations as well as Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and other faiths.
A small group of Central American refugees has been the latest target of President Donald Trump's xenophobic fear-mongering regarding immigration; they arrived at the border late last month after fleeing violence and unrest in their home countries and traveling for weeks.
The protest came two weeks after border patrol agents closed the border's busiest port of entry--which the Trump administration has repeatedly claimed it wants immigrants to enter the country through--and fired tear gas at asylum seekers including many families with young children.
"Showing up to welcome and bless children, mothers, and fathers seeking asylum from very difficult and dehumanizing circumstances is the right and humane thing to do," said Bishop Minerva G. Carcano, who read a list of names of people who have been killed by border patrol agents and while crossing the border. "How we act in these moments determines who we will become as a nation."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.
To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good.
News & Opinion
Trending
Common Dreams, Inc. Founded 1997. Registered 501(c3) Non-Profit
Privacy Policy