wfn.org | UCC members opposed to immigration law join march on Arizona Capitol

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

UCC members opposed to immigration law join march on Arizona Capitol

> Written by Scott Griessel
> June 1, 2010

Members of the United Church of Christ from Arizona and around the country 
joined an estimated 20,000 protesters May 29 to march in opposition to the 
state's SB1070 immigration law that, according to critics, targets Hispanics 
and could leave the door open for racial profiling by law enforcement agencies.

The law, slated to take effect July 29, requires any police officer conducting a traffic 
stop or when questioning people to ask them about their citizenship if there is 
"reasonable suspicion" they may be in the country illegally.

In response to the passage of the law the Southwest Conference of the UCC 
recently published a call for a more humane US immigration policy, an end to 
migrant deaths and for support to immigrant communities.

In an open letter to President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary of Homeland 
Security, Janet Napolitano and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, the Conference states, 
"We are profoundly disturbed by the passage of the harshest anti-immigrant 
legislation in the country by the Arizona Legislature. It is legislation such as this 
that codifies racial profiling and creates an atmosphere of suspicion, hatred, and 
scapegoating of immigrants and U.S. Citizens."

According to the Rev. John Dorhauer, Conference Minister for the UCC's 
Southwest Conference, the Conference was the first organization to call for a 
boycott of Arizona because of the law. Many more have followed suit.

"The boycott means that we will move our annual meeting out of Phoenix, where it was 
scheduled, to Albuquerque," Dorhauer said. "I'm here today in Phoenix to march not only 
in solidarity with our brother and sister immigrants ... [but also] with the members of our 
churches in the Southwest Conference who have stood against this racist and unjust law."

Prior to the march, the Rev. Felix Carrion, director of the UCC's Still Speaking 
Ministry, shared a pair of full-page ads paid for by donations, one in English that ran 
in the Arizona Republic and another in Spanish that ran in La Prensa on the day of the 
march. The ads claim "God's love knows no borders."

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is about welcome and the United Church of Christ is about that 
welcome. We are here in opposition to 1070 because we find that 1070 is in opposition to the 
gospel", Carrion said. "We want to send the word out to those communities that will 
suffer from this hurtful legislation that we stand with you we will struggle with you, we will 
fight with you until this law is  repealed."

Pastor Luis Gonzalez of Comunidad Cristiana Minsterios, known informally as TOX 
Ministries, said that as a result of the law almost 50 percent of his 
congregation face leaving the state. Currently the Southwest Conference is 
helping up to 20 members of TOX, who live and work in Arizona without the 
benefit of documentation, move with their families to New Mexico before the law 
takes effect.

Members have also been offered job placement services and pro bono legal assistance. Gonzalez said 
that many of his congregants experience fear and pain, "...every time they leave their 
home." Alfonso Escareno, an employee of TOX Ministries said, "SB1070 is dividing 
families, and we believe in the unity of  families."

"We've been working on the border with these issues for ten years and it's painful to see the 
hate and the discrimination is moving deeper into our communities," said the Rev. Randy J. 
Mayer from the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita, Ariz. "What we need to be 
doing is creating comprehensive immigration reform."

The rally and 6-mile march to the state capitol proceeded peacefully under 94-degree heat. 
Demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans. Shouts of "!Si se puede!" ? "Yes we 
can!" were volleyed along the route. At times, the mass of people stretched for more than 
three miles.

Volunteers at stations along the way handed out a steady supply of water, and a 
few walkers were treated for heat exhaustion. Some people fashioned makeshift 
cardboard hats to avoid the direct sun. According to a variety of media 
sources, including the Arizona Daily Star, about 20,000 people participated in 
the march on the capitol. They were joined by hundreds of supporters in other 
states, and about 300 people at the US Embassy in Mexico City.

"I'm here today in Phoenix to march not only solidarity with our brother and sister 
immigrants?as well as with the members of our churches in the Southwest Conference who have 
stood against this racist and unjust law," Dorhauer said. This is in our DNA, we can do 
no other."

In response to SB1070, the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ 
is:

* Encouraging individuals to pledge non-compliance with the unjust and racist 
law SB 1070

* Canceling plans to hold 2011 annual meeting in Arizona

* Relocating their next annual meeting to another southwestern state

* Encouraging their business and professional members to influence board 
decisions

* Encouraging direct action of prayer, study, protests, and fasting

* Mobilizing their congregations to advocate for the Dream Act, a just and fair 
Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the abolishment of SB 1070 and 287(G)

The following links provide information about SB1070 and the response of the 
United Church of Christ and the Southwest Conference:

A CALL FOR A MORE HUMANE US IMMIGRATION POLICY; END MIGRANT DEATHS; SUPPORT 
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIESS
Resolution, adopted by delegates to the 2010 Southwest Conference Annual 
Meeting, strongly condemning Arizona's recent anti-immigration legislation.

The Law (Myths and Debunking them)

Arizona's New Anti-Immigrant Legislation and Common Immigration Myths, by 
Brendan N. Mahoney, Esq., Southwest Conference Moderator.

Results from May 13, 2010 Justice and Witness meeting in response to SB 1070
Letter sent by email to SWC members, containing notes on the Justice and 
Witness meeting held on May 13 to address concerns and explore responses to 
Arizona's SB 1070, by John Dorhauer.

Personal Stories

From around the UCC, TOX ministries in Phoenix, A Politician's Perspective, and 
Rhode Island UMC Clergy

> Additional Information
> The Issues of Immigration and SB1070
> Ways that Faith Communities can organize and Resist SB1070