Category: Updates

Flashlight Vigils, Take Action

“You Are Our Light”

The struggle for justice is protracted and unending. The more we gain, the greater our opposition. Yet, we are not deterred and we will not give up. Instead, our commitment to keep justice alive for all people remains strong and redoubled. That is why the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity invites people across all religions to come together in candlelight/flashlight vigils to support our neighbors, friends, and colleagues who are DACA recipients and their families who face the threat of having DACA protection removed.

We express our firm commitment to DACA recipients and their families, acknowledging the anxiety in their lives as their futures are being played as pawns in a political game. We remember their courageous years of struggle as undocumented young persons to demand recognition of their humanity, demand their standing as Americans and ultimately creating the political achievement of the DACA Executive Order in 2012. They have shown that we as a nation need their leadership and contributions. And indeed, we have received so much. The past five years of DACA have shown the impactful ways they have contributed economically and with their leadership, when they were given a chance. They have been brightly shining lights in times of political darkness. They have inspired many of us in our own commitment to struggle for immigrant justice.

We are witnessing the continued abandonment of promises and hope declared by the immediate past Administration under President Barak Obama. It was not an easy victory that rendered a new course toward security and protection for undocumented immigrant young people who worked hard to preserve the right to stay and contribute. Now, we, together, face the undeserved and unfair callous shenanigans of hard-hearted, stubborn, insensitive, and uncaring political leaders.

Our religious teachings guide our call to action. We ask our sisters and brothers of faith across all religious traditions to join us in standing in solidarity with DACA recipients who need our public witness. We affirm and uphold that they are Americans and full members of our families and communities. We refuse to accept any attempt to return to standards, policies, and practices that treat any persons as second class citizens. We offer our religious commitment to act with them in defense of their rights to dignity and full personhood.

In this precious period of political posturing, we need to re-double our commitment and conviction to stand boldly with the most vulnerable members of our society.
Join the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity and call your network of faith congregations and community organizations to:

(1) organize public candlelight/flashlight vigils as public witness to your stance with DACAmented individuals and bright lights for our nation. .
(2) create spaces of prayer, support and consolation to restore resilience, hope, and courage in the face of the unknown.
(3) contact your congressional representative to defend DACA

Read DACA Reflection from IM4HI

Let us know if you are interested in hosting a candlelight/flashlight vigil event.

Register your event here along with other national actions: http://defenddaca.com/

We can and we must stand together because “Every human person is sacred across all borders.”

Every day the United States has an opportunity to move closer to the real ideals of the founders of this nation. Unfortunately, the esteemed documents that laid the foundation of this country lose meaning when actions and rhetoric form conditions for residents and citizens that deny our full humanity and value. Today, our nation faces the dangerous reality for Muslim members of our society who are falsely accused and denigrated by extremist groups that dare to ignore America’s true greatness found within our diverse population.

In recent days we have witnessed public acts of violence organized and motivated by fear that boils over and is fueled by hatred. I was very concerned to learn more rallies were planned to target Muslim Americans. I’m relieved to know far-right extremist group ACT for America has cancelled their rallies, but still worried about their decision to focus on online “protests” instead.

Determined to ignore the social and political progress our nation has made since its inception and the great strides gained through decades of the civil rights movement, anti-war movement, women’s rights movement, LGBTQ liberation movement, and freedom of religion guaranteed in our Constitution, a band of frightened, misguided individuals wants to reverse America’s great attributes and reduce access to the blooming opportunities that offer hope to all her people.

Islam is a faith that lives within the Abrahamic family from Moses to Muhammad (PBUH). Between those patriarchs Jesus led a religious movement that sought to forge a peaceful world by honoring all human life as sacred. Thus, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share the same roots and recognize the belief in one God who formed every human being in the Divine Image (Imago Dei).

Today, we are faced with a choice as a nation about which way we will go. Will we seek unity among our diversity and follow the wisdom embedded in our nation’s Constitution? Or, will we dive into the abyss of fear and blindly allow voices of hatred to lead us to the cliff of division and disaster?

Now is a time to build community through understanding and friendship. We have an opportunity to learn more about Islam by getting to know our Muslim neighbors. Like many Americans who came to this country, our Muslim neighbors bring visions of hope and dreams of new opportunities. They follow the footsteps of many great people who preceded them and courageously left their homelands in search of a better way of life.

Islam is deeply-rooted in “The Way of Peace.” Through knowledge of science, mathematics, medicine, and technology, many of our Muslim neighbors bring expertise to the emerging arena of modern industry. They represent the global reality of mass mobility and the transference of skills, talents, and human resources.

Instead of baiting and promoting ill-fated schemes that make false distinctions and isolate individuals and religious groups, we have the opportunity to deepen our understanding, overcome our fears, and broaden our values as a hospitable society that continues a long tradition of welcoming strangers, earning trust, and making America stronger.

Too many brave warriors have fallen and made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve a free and open society as a safe haven for the weary, frightened, and maligned persons who seek freedom. We honor their courage by avoiding the missteps, traps, and seduction of fear and hatred. Our country is great when we “love our neighbor as we love ourselves.”

We hold this conviction as the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, “Every human person is sacred across all borders.”

Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief that ACT for America has cancelled their planned anti-Muslim rallies. But we can’t let up in our defense of the Constitution and American values either. We will face more marches, more candidates and more provocative media outlets that try to divide us and exploit fear. As we meet each moment and each awful tweet, let us rise with love, open hearts and minds, and let us become the people we believe Americans can be when we come together across our many diverse backgrounds.

Rev. Dr. Art Cribbs