Religious Leaders Mobilize Against Arizona Immigration Law

[babylonsister]

Religious Leaders Mobilize Against Arizona Immigration Law
Posted by Stephanie Condon


(Credit: AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)


A number of religious leaders from across the country are mobilizing their congregates this weekend to protest Arizona's new controversial immigration law. Events in Arizona, California, New York, Kansas, Pennsylvania and elsewhere are expected to draw thousands to condemn the law and call for comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level.

The controversial law, signed by Arizona's governor on Friday, would require immigrants to carry documents verifying their immigration status. It would also require police officers to question a person about his or her immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that person may be illegally in the country.

The law represents "the institutionalization of racial profiling," said Jen Smyers, associate for immigration and refugee policy at Church World Service, a Christian cooperative ministry.

"The Arizona law and the outpouring of condemnation from the faith community underscores the urgency of enacting humane, comprehensive immigration reform," she said today in a conference call with reporters, organized by the left-leaning group Faith in Public Life.

Prayer vigils have been ongoing in front of the state capitol in Phoenix and will continue this weekend with a midnight mass on Saturday and a vigil expected to bring in more than 1,000 people on Sunday.

More than 10,000 United Methodist women will be gathering in St. Louis, Missouri, to call for comprehensive immigration reform, said Bishop Minerva Carcano, of the United Methodist Church's Desert Southwest Conference.

more...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20003812-503544.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody

[babylonsister]

1. ARIZONA: Religious community rallies against immigration law

ARIZONA: Religious community rallies against immigration law
By ENS staff, April 26, 2010


Bishop Kirk S. Smith told Arizona Episcopalians April 23 not to panic in response to a new state law that will make it illegal for undocumented immigrants to be in Arizona and that will require people suspected of being illegal to show proof of legal status.

"I know that the passage of this law is deeply troubling to many of you, especially those of undocumented status. I know that many of you fear for your jobs, your families, and your future in this state and in this country," Smith wrote in a letter to Arizona Episcopalians.

" … I am writing to encourage you not to lose heart. First, there is no need for panic. This law does not take effect for 90 days. During that time there will be many court challenges, including those coming from the federal government. The law might be tied up for months or years in litigation, and I believe that there is a good possibility it will never go into effect."

snip//

"This law offends the dignity of all Arizonans," said Smith in his letter release. "The tendency to scapegoat a vulnerable population for Arizona's economic stagnation and federal inaction on immigration issues is an unworthy and counterproductive response to the problems we face. This law will make our communities and neighborhoods less safe, it will undermine our efforts to recover from this recession, further strain our broken state budget, and fill our courts with more lawsuits and less justice."

more...

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_121868_ENG_HTM.htm

[wryter2000]

2. That's my church

Churches may well end up acting as sanctuaries.

[babylonsister]

3. I'm not religious, but this one sounds kind. They're concerned about

the welfare of those being targeted, as everyone should be. And you're right about the sanctuaries if it gets that far. We'll see some fireworks then (not literally, I hope).

[wryter2000]

4. I love the Episcopal church, so I'm biased

Our bishop routinely marches in the SF Gay Pride parade. I think we're organizing something this year for him to give communion in the parade. I'm not sure how that's going to work :)

There are lots of great churches. The Falwells and Robertsons have been running a scam trying to portray themselves as representing Christianity.