Pictured above: Rev. Ron Whitlatch, Director of Hispanic Ministries for the OR-ID Conference of the UMC; David Leslie, Executive Director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon; Greg Nelson, Director of Communications for the OR-ID Conference of the UMC; Jan Elfers from EMO; Fr. Peter Arteaga, Pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Hillsboro.Last Wednesday, people from multiple faith traditions gathered in the north park blocks of downtown Portland to show solidarity with the people of Arizona as the implementation date for the anti-immigrant law SB 1070 draws closer. On July 29th, racial profiling by local law enforcement in Arizona will be legal and encouraged, and actions directly supporting undocumented immigrants will be considered criminal.
At this interfaith prayer vigil, we gathered, along with others gathering across the country that same week, and reflected on the impact of our broken immigration system, declared what elements need to be present for us to have comprehensive immigration reform in the US, and marched together to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in a public show of solidarity. Our hearts are heavy as we consider the real people in Arizona who will be negatively affected by this new law and the possibility of similar laws taking shape in Oregon and in other parts of the US.
It was great to see lots of United Methodists present! Several UMs were integral in the planning and leading of the vigil, especially Ron Whitlatch, Director of Hispanic Ministries for the OR-ID Conference of the UMC.
The holy books of most faith traditions speak to how we are called worship God by honoring and being in service to one another, especially the sojourners. From Isaiah 58:
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
In this Spirit, Isaiah 58 Summer, a project of Interfaith Immigration, seeks to unite people of faith from across the country in actions to raise awareness and stand with our sisters and brothers in Arizona.
July 29th, the day the law is scheduled to go into effect, will be a day of action in Portland and all over the US. The event, Todos Somos Arizona (We Are All Arizona), will begin at 5:00 p.m. Holladay Park (corner of NE Holladay and 13th). Download the flyer here.
Marco Mejia of the Oregon New Sanctuary Movement addresses the group:
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