FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 5, 2018
Contact: Erin Williams, ewilliams@faithinaction.org
202-748-0699
WASHINGTON, DC – As nativist politicians engage in hateful and divisive messaging against specific members of our communities, Faith in Action, the largest grassroots faith-based organizing network in the United States, has pledged to mobilize faith community members to vote for moral values of love and unity.
Through a series of videos being posted online linked to the hashtag #FaithVotes, clergy leaders within the Faith in Action network are reciting Bible passages to remind voters to stand up and speak firmly with their votes to counter ugly messaging and voter intimidation.
“These are frightening and disorienting times in our communities, as the political discourse has exposed deep xenophobia,” said Richard Morales, policy and program director of LA RED. “We can stop this by reminding voters that our values are rooted in love — love thy neighbor, and welcome thy neighbor.”
Among those posting videos is Bishop Dwayne Royster, Senior Pastor of Faith United Church of Christ and national political director of Faith in Action, who quoted Micah 6:8 which teaches to “do justice, to love mercy and walk humbly with our God.” Royster said the faith community is calling on all political leaders to “denounce hateful rhetoric, hateful actions on behalf of their ideologies and to press for peace, justice and mercy.”
Rev. Deth Im, who stated that he is “…voting for people and policies that prioritize abundance rather scarcity; inclusion, rather than exclusion, faith, rather than fear,” quoted 1 Corinthians 13: 6-7: “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
The following are comments from organizers within the Faith In Action network:
“I refuse to continue watching or listening to the agenda of xenophobes who spread fear and lies about our community. They are clearly afraid of the power we are building throughout the country by organizing and getting out the vote. I will continue to focus my energy on the efforts that will bring my community hope instead of buckling to these attempts to push us back into the shadows.” – Johana Bencomo, Organize New Mexico
“It is this type of thinking that has made immigrants fearful for their lives and safety, and have subjected them to putting themselves in isolation and danger for fear of what could happen if they ever needed help. We have to curb this desperation and stop scaring voters into making decisions that will only continue furthering an agenda of white supremacy and racism against black and brown people.”- Omar Angel Perez, DMV Sanctuary Congregation Network
“We can’t allow hate to win. Direct attacks of the moral fiber of immigrant communities are examples of the rhetoric of white supremacy that has taken hold in our country. We can only step up with our efforts to mobilize moral and faith communities to the polls and take over Congress in this midterms in order to put a stop to his hate agenda of an America for the white and privileged only. ” – Maria Revelles, Faith in Florida
“While the demagogues attempt to whip the public into a frenzy, people of faith and courage will stand strong against the lies, the fear mongering, and the intimidation. We will speak truth, pursue justice, and we will vote, vote, and vote.” –Antonio Cediel, Urban Strategies Campaign Manager, Faith In Action
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Faith in Action, formerly known as PICO National Network, is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. The nonpartisan organization works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 46 local and state federations. For more information visit www.faithinaction.org.
