CLT Relgious Leaders Condemn Trump’s Zero Tolerance Policy At Border
CHARLOTTE, NC — According to the Department of Homeland Security, nearly 2,000 migrant children were separated form their families between April and May.
Monday, Charlotte religious leaders and organizations are taking action.
Haunting images of the U.S. separating children from parents at the border have Charlotte religious leaders condemning President Donald Trump’s zero tolerance policy.
“It’s so unchristian, right, to say that somebody is doing something wrong, so we are going to do something that’s even more vicious, even more cruel, even more horrible to deal with it,” said Dr. James Howell, Senior Pastor at Myers Park United Methodist Church.
Dr. Howell spoke after members of the Trump Administration quoted the bible to justify the practice, saying parents should obey the law if they don’t want their children taken away.
“There are many laws in history that most surely should not be obeyed,” said Dr. Howell. “There of been some terrible laws that, under God, we should not obey them.”
Rabbi Judy Schindler is the Director of the Stan Greenspon Center for Peace and Social Justice.
She says at least 13 organizations and congregations will protest the practice this month in solidarity with the group called Families Belong Together.
The nationwide rally is set for June 30th, but Charlotte has not set its date yet.
For more information, click here.
The group plans to ask Governor Roy Cooper not to send any North Carolina troops to the border to help.
“If we sit in our houses of worship and say you know what this is someone else’s problem and don’t reflect on the fundamental core principals of who we are as human beings, on human dignity and safety and security, and allow other people to create this policy, that’s not acceptable,” said Rabbi Schindler.
WCCB Charlotte reached out to area members of Congress for their opinions before they take up immigration reform Tuesday.
“It’s inhumane,” said Rep. Alma Adams. “This is Trump’s policy. This is not a policy that the Congress has enacted in any way. That is just not true.
And I don’t know how they can sleep at night.”
Rep. Patrick McHenry wrote:
Rep. Robert Pittenger says he will talk to trump about it Tuesday.
Sen. Thom Tillis says:
“People can say well that’s not who we are, but actually, the people we elected are the ones who are doing this so it’s kind of on us,” said Dr. Howell.
The next protest is Wednesday at Myers Park United Methodist Church at 8:00 pm. That’s where groups are standing in solidarity with churches going to the courthouse steps in McAllen, Texas.
