WISDOM STANDS WITH IMMIGRANTS, MUSLIMS, AND ALL WHOSE HUMAN DIGNITY IS UNDER ATTACK
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”
From Emma Lazarus poem, used as inscription on The Statue of Liberty
The WISDOM Prophetic Declaration calls on the members of our interfaith network to work for justice and liberation and to stand against all forms of oppression, inequity and discrimination. It also affirms with certainty that love and hope will always triumph over hate and fear.
Early 2017 is a critical moment, when immigrants, Muslims and other marginalized people are being systematically targeted and persecuted. Recent Executive Orders by President Trump have fulfilled a mean-spirited campaign promise to exclude Muslims from our society, to divide immigrant families and to create undue fear in our communities. They include the misguided requirement that all law enforcement must place immigration enforcement as a higher priority than public safety.
In this critical moment, every person must take a stand. People of faith cannot remain silent in the face of attempts to divide, de-humanize and frighten. Public officials cannot stand silent. They must declare their opposition or their agreement with these unprecedented actions of our new president. Whatever their decision, it will long be remembered. Those who remain silent are complicit in perpetuating racism, xenophobia, misogyny, religious discrimination and the destruction of democracy and religious freedom.
Each of our faith traditions has known persecution, and we know we must stand with those who are persecuted now. We are called by our sacred texts and faith traditions to love our neighbors, accompany the vulnerable, and welcome the stranger. We believe that our response to the attacks on Muslims, immigrants, people of color, and all vulnerable populations will be the measure of our faithfulness. Citizens and elected officials have a position of privilege. This is the time to use it. As Mordecai said to Queen Esther, “Who knows but if you have come to your position for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
Therefore, WISDOM members will stand with and for refugees, undocumented immigrants, people of color, and Muslims, especially in these difficult times. We encourage our member congregations to speak boldly, to foster inclusion, justice and liberation for all people, and to build bridges to people who may have different backgrounds or viewpoints.
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
-Martin Niemöller: German Lutheran pastor and theologian
We demand that our public officials, of either party and all levels, do everything in their power to reverse any and all policies that arise from religious, racial or ethnic intolerance.
WISDOM is the network of interfaith justice organizations in Wisconsin, including more than 160 congregations, from 19 faith traditions. Reach us at wisdomforjustice@gmail.com, or at 414-831-2070
