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Nov 30: “For a Just World” podcast features Rev. Deborah Lee

A brand new podcast, For a Just World, featuring Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity’s own Rev. Deborah Lee speaks to faith communities about “Who are we being walled off from?” and “How do we walk forward with our fears?”.

Podcast recorded at Nogales, Arizona at the border wall.

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November 21: Fear Not, Have Solidarity

Dear Friends,

The recent election results have understandably stirred up a tremendous amount of fear.  That is real. Understandable. We feel it too.

Although faith teachings of many religious traditions encourage us to “Fear Not,” our faith, love and understanding are stronger than fear.  We know that is not an easy thing.  There is a real uncertainty among all of us about what will happen under the Trump presidency.  His proposed immigration policies do not bode well for undocumented immigrants, Muslims, our sisters and brothers under DACA, and those who are refugees.  The proposed policies emphasizing a wall and greater enforcement will do nothing to address the root causes of migration and only will result in more deaths of those fleeing violence and desperation.

Much is uncertain, but one thing is certain: Solidarity is stronger than fear.  Solidarity gives us courage when we are afraid.  Solidarity is our protection.  Fear may still be there, but standing together in unity makes us stronger and braver to confront the challenges ahead. Our best defense is an organized community’s commitment to each other that binds us together with all and anyone put at risk.

So let us stand together in solidarity with undocumented immigrants, Muslims, refugees, African Americans, LGBTQ people, Jews, and other people who are at risk.

The State of California Legislature issued a letter expressing commitment to defend California’s history as a refuge of justice and opportunity.  We must ensure every Sanctuary City’s policies are upheld so that our tradition of fair treatment and due process for all people continues.

We ask faith communities to consider declaring themselves “Sanctuary Congregations,” “Immigrant Welcoming Congregations,” or “Beyond Bars Congregations.”  We must all know our rights in this likely period of greater immigration law enforcement and increased mass incarceration.  Our concrete and proactive acts of solidarity are needed now more than ever.

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Justice Not Jails Leadership Team: Help Us GROW in 2018

A Special Message From the Justice Not Jails Leadership Team

You already know part of what we do: for five years Justice Not Jails has brought faith communities to the tables where the real work is done to change the awful story of abusive policing and mass incarceration of people of color.

Something you may not know: We also work inside of faith communities to deepen awareness of the toxic combination of racism and bad religion that undergirds the mass incarceration regime. We create transformative occasions for those most victimized by the system to tell their stories in sacred space that is made more sacred by their testimony.

For the past year we have been proud to be a program of the statewide Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. Proud because IM4HI effectively combats the very same toxic combination​ as expressed in ​all of the ​vicious state terrorism​ we see targeting ​immigrant communities.

Here is how JNJ is growing in 201​8​:

  • We are adding a dedicated Justice Not Jails organizer in Southern California
  • We are expanding the network of Beyond Bars congregations – and enriching their experience
  • We are advancing JNJ’s effectiveness on key regional and statewide policy issues
  • We are creating a powerful theological event ​addressing the white supremacist roots that link mass incarceration and ​anti-immigrant polices and practices
  • We are bringing this clear intersectional focus to all of our work on criminal justice and​ ​immigration

​And more good news: o​ur ​SoCal leadership team’s commitment to growing JNJ – our faith in its future – is so strong that we are making a ​​first-ever matching gift offer:

MAKE A YEAR-END GIFT NOW, AND WE WILL MATCH YOUR CONTRIBUTION 100%!!

OUR GOAL: $25,000 IN NEW GROWTH GIFTS

DONATE HERE

YOUR GIFT IS FULLY TAX-DEDUCTIBLE

Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. And if there is someone you wish to HONOR through your gift—perhaps an incarcerated person or a heroic freedom fighter you admire or whose memory you cherish—just let us know: we will publish the names of all honorees in a special “thank you” issue of our weekly e-letter.

With our warmest wishes for a wonderful Sacred Season and the Happiest of New Years!

Your Justice Not Jails Leadership Team

All gifts ​will ​directly benefit Justice Not Jails​ in Southern California. ​The JNJ leadership team will contribute $10,000 toward matching the first $10,000 in gifts dollar for dollar. We hope and pray that we will EXCEED that amount thanks to your generosity and your own faith in our work.