More than 30 clergy and religious activists in Birmingham signed a letter issued today declaring that they would offer sanctuary to immigrants.
The Rev. Paul Ecknes-Tucker, pastor of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Birmingham, said he and other clergy have been talking about what they would do in the case of immigration raids in Alabama.
“The raid over in Mississippi last week was a pivotal moment for us to begin talking about what we would do here if faced with similar things,” he said. “We talked about helping with kids, giving them a safe place to be.”
A total of 680 people were arrested in Wednesday’s raids, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Declaring a church or other house of worship to be a sanctuary means immigrants seeking shelter from apprehension and deportation would be protected, Ecknes-Tucker said.
“It’s to offer a safe place for people to be and figure out what they’re going to do next,” he said.
He has discussed the matter with his congregation and they are ready to help if needed, Ecknes-Tucker said.
“They’re up to the challenge,” he said. “My congregation is very progressive on these issues. Red Cross uses us as a shelter when there’s a natural disaster. We have cots, kitchen and bathrooms.”
Churches are places of protection and can take a stand against what they feel is unwarranted interference from law enforcement, Ecknes-Tucker said.
“They are not allowed to enter a sanctuary, a place of worship,” he said. “We anticipate there may be legal challenges to that, but we are willing to make that stand.”
Here is the statement that has been passed around and signed by more than 30 people:
“To the People of Birmingham and Neighbor Communities
“From Concerned Clergy, Faith Leaders, and Faith Communities of Birmingham
“Though we represent diverse theological perspectives and traditions, our mutual commitment to the sacred and ethical treatment of our neighbors transcends boundaries: we believe in loving our neighbors as ourselves, in doing no harm, and in seeking the best for every member of our community. We believe that our ethical and theological commitments require us to take a stand against policies and language that dehumanize our immigrant siblings.
“Our faith communities have watched with growing astonishment the racist, xenophobic, and violent rhetoric from our national leaders, and we see how this language is used to vilify both documented and undocumented immigrants. We are appalled by the hostile policies applied to immigrants and asylum seekers. And though we love and support members of law enforcement who seek to serve and protect their communities, we lament the way law enforcement policies have been weaponized as part of an agenda to promote ethnic nationalism. We are resolved to resist the dehumanization of our neighbors, and stand for their human and civil rights.
“To that end, we affirm that:
- Our houses of worship will be sanctuary for those seeking refuge. We will not allow immigration authorities to enter into our houses of worship without a warrant signed by a judge.
- Those of us who cannot safely offer sanctuary will actively and intentionally support those who do open the doors of their houses of worship to provide sanctuary to those who are being targeted by immigration enforcement operations.
- Following the lead of the communities who are most impacted, we will take action and speak out when ICE raids target our neighbors.
- We will challenge xenophobic, racist, and white nationalist rhetoric both inside and outside our places of worship. We will seek to create intentionally inclusive and accepting worship spaces that protect the rights and dignity of all human beings.
“We also call on our elected city and county officials to refuse to comply with federal infringement on the rights of our neighbors; specifically, we call on Sheriff Mark Pettway to no longer detain community members without a warrant or transfer them into ICE custody.
“Stories from our faith traditions are full of saints and holy ancestors who stood up for the rights of their marginalized neighbors, or who opened their doors to strangers and were blessed by visiting angels. We stand firmly on our scriptures and our traditions that this witness is necessary, timely, and in keeping with our faith.”
Signatories:
Rev. Dr. Dave Barnhart
Saint Junia United Methodist Church
Rev. Majadi Baruti
Udja Temple
Rev. Taylor Bell
Baptist Church of the Covenant
Rev. Ramone Billingsley
The Theological Collective
Shastri Janet Bronstein
Birmingham Shambhala Meditation Center
Rev. Adam Burns
Church of the Reconciler, UMC
Rev. Valerie Burton
Baptist Church of the Covenant
Pastor Kurt Clark
Sardis Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Julie Conrady
Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham
Jim Douglass
Birmingham Catholic Worker
Shelley Douglass
Birmingham Catholic Worker
Rev. Doreen Duley
United Methodist Church
Rev. Tom Duley
United Methodist Church
Rev. Paul Eknes-Tucker
Pilgrim United Church of Christ
Rev. Joe Elmore
United Methodist Church
Rev. J.R. Finney
Covenant Community Church, UCC
Rev. Carolyn Foster
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Rev. Joe Genau
Edgewood Presbyterian Church
Rev. Cat Goodrich
First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham
Rev. Sonya Gravlee
United Church of Christ
Pastor Isaac Guazo
Iglesia Metodista de México
Rev. Dr. Samuel Hamilton-Poore
Presbyterian Church USA
Rev. Terry Hamilton-Poore
First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham
Rev. Caitlin Harper
Community Church Without Walls, UMC
Rev. Garrett Harper
Community Church Without Walls, UMC
Pastor Sally Harris
Grace Lutheran Church, ELCA
Rev. Ron Higey
Birmingham International Church
Rev. Dr. R. Lawton Higgs, Sr.
United Methodist Church
Rev. Kelley Hudlow
The Episcopal Church
Rev. Paula Champion Jones
United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Kip Laxson
Asbury United Methodist Church
Pastor Eva Melton
The Firm Foundation Church
Pastor Adam Mixon
Zion Spring Baptist Church
Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Emily Freeman Penfield
Woodlawn United Methodist Church
Rev. Charles Perry
Magic City Spiritual Community
Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers
The Abbey, Episcopal
Rev. Jennifer Sanders
Beloved Community Church, UCC
Ashfaq Taufique
Birmingham Islamic Society
Nancy Whitt, Clerk
Birmingham Friends Meeting
Rev. R.G. Wilson-Lyons
First United Methodist Church of Birmingham
Rev. Angie Wright
United Church of Christ
