Category: Updates

JNJ’s March 21 “Faith & Race: Carry It On!” gathering at Lincoln Congregational Church drew a lively crowd of community members eager to get a handle on two big policy challenges facing anti-racism activists in LA County: how to convert a costly and ill-conceived jail construction plan into a plan that really does deliver needed mental health services, and how to push back against a new county sheriff who seems intent on undoing long-sought reforms at the LASD.

Attendees were not disappointed. On the jail question, Dignity & Power Now’s Rev. Evan “Reegie” Bunch offered a concise state-of-play analysis of where things stand since the Board of Supervisors created a high-powered Working Group on Alternatives to Incarceration and gave the group a broad mandate to look at distributed mental health services rather than concentrating them at a huge new downtown jail complex. Chaired by the California Endowment’s Dr. Robert Ross, the Working Group has 90 days to report back to the Supervisors with the benefit of community input. Rev. Bunch observed how a default reliance on “carceral humanism” in relation to persons experiencing mental illness has always poisoned the conversation and prevented clear thinking in policy circles.

On the question of what to do about Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Sharon Kyle noted that the new sheriff is openly asserting his autonomy as an independently elected officer who is not subservient to the Board of Supervisors. Kyle does not think the situation is totally hopeless; she believes that Villanueva may yet listen to the counsel of progressives who can help him save his leadership of the department from total disgrace and endless litigation. Meantime, she points out that LASD cooperation with ICE has not actually ended, despite Villanueva’s public pledge to end it.

Following the opening presentations, the March 21 participants worked in small groups to discuss what they heard and offer their own perspectives.

Everyone appreciated Lincoln’s hospitality and the pizza and salad that were provided.

Mark your calendars: the next “Faith & Race: Carry It On!” gathering will take place on Thursday, May 2, also at Lincoln Congregational Church (Arlington & King). Along with updates on the jail construction and sheriff accountability issues, May’s “First Thursday” meeting will feature opening presentations on two other burning LA County issues: District Attorney accountability and the looming effort to reform the Probation Department.

Peter Laarman

Dear Beloved Muslim Friends,

We know that two weeks have passed but the pain and ongoing sorrow continues. On behalf of the board and staff of Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, we want to express our deep sorrow over the latest tragedy born of the disease of white supremacy, Islamophobia and racism that resulted in the death of Muslim families, 50 beautiful souls, in New Zealand,

While this is the worst violence that nation has ever seen, we know all too well that this event is part of a global phenomenon of the spread of white supremacy that has its roots here in the United States of America.

We pray every day that we can create a loving community of active solidarity in order to remain strong in the face of senseless acts of hatred in our communities here in California, and around the world. Targeting Muslims during prayer is heinous. We believe that actively seeking justice and embodying solidarity across all boundaries is a remedy to such acts. We understand what this means to Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, African Americans and LGBTQ individuals in our community who have been targeted by white supremacy in houses of worship, and in the midst of celebratory occasions, and as they pursue the tasks of life on a daily basis.

It is our intention that in the face of this most recent attack on our community, we commit to our mission to build sanctuary for all who seek the safety of home. May we actively pursue love and peacebuilding in our communities, and seek comfort and support from each other as we go through another period of mourning. And may we find ways to stand with Muslim spouses, relatives, loved ones, friends, co-workers and Muslim community institutions. Let us act in ways that prevent further violence. Let us prepare ourselves to respond by actively holding accountable those who perpetuate racism and public harm, and show our love and our lived values in acts of kindness, humanity, and concern.

We have included this piece of art for you to print created by our Board Chair, Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb. It is a means to remember how beautiful our love is for one another. All of us or none of us.

As your friends and allies, we commit and invite others to join us in ending Islamophobia in our neighborhoods and the halls of Congress. We commit to supporting the No Ban Act that will repeal the Muslim ban and stop discrimination from being enacted in the future. We hope to see you at community events like the one taking place in San Francisco this Sunday (see below).

Here is a link to donate to victims of this attack

May the following week, the coming Jummah prayers and Sabbath, bring a measure of comfort to all who mourn. May we recommit to stand in the reality of our ultimate oneness and human integrity. Together we shall overcome

With love and solidarity,

Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity Board and Staff