We gathered John M. Kingery (c) all rights reserved 2018
Action:
I was at the ICE headquarters in downtown Portland July 31 and August 7. Along with the 100 other people of faith and good will I walked, prayed, sang and cried out “Let Our People Go”.
There are 123 asylum-seeking individuals who detained at the Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution. They have passed their credible fear reviews and can be released. We are asking they be released to the faith community.
With those gathered, I committed to the August of Action Covenant/Code of Conduct.
I will treat each person (including workers, police, and media) with respect
I will connect with people and attempt to win hearts & minds
I will not use violence, threats or insulting language
I will protect opponents from insults or attack
I will not damage equipment, apparatus, or property of others
I will accept responsibility for my actions
If I am arrested, I will behave in an exemplary manner
I will assert my right to protest and my right to silence before the law
I will know the limits of my anger or despair, and will develop strategies to manage and channel these emotions effectively.
We walked and will walk again to cry out “Let our People Go!”
We prayed. John M. Kingery (c) all rights reserved 2018
Invitation:
God calls. Scripture teaches. Spirit stirs. Faith requires. Be a voice. Faith has voice. Let it be yours.
We have and will continue to be the moral voice and presence. It is now time for our elected representatives to apply political pressure.
Pray for the detainees in Sheridan and their families. Pray for ICE staff and administrators. Pray for Reverend Michael Ellick, Rabbi Debra Kolodny. They were arrested.
Phone our congressional delegation. Thank them for their support already and tell them to use their power to pressure ICE to release the detainees. Phone numbers are below:
Senator Jeff Merkley, (202) 224-3753
Senator Ron Wyden, (202) 224-5244
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, (503) 231-2300
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, (503) 469-6010
We walked and will again.
John M. Kingery (c) all rights reserved 2018
Phone Elizabeth Godfrey, acting ICE director; request the release of the detainees to the faith community. 503-326-3302.
Be Present for your families, neighbors, the poor and vulnerable, and refugees and immigrants in our community.
We care called to be sanctuary by welcoming others. Please listen to the call of sanctuary.
Peace, John