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Ahead of Inauguration, Faith Leaders Urge Devotees in State Capitols to Take Precautions
WASHINGTON (RNS) Liberal religious groups and minority faith communities around the country are urging caution in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, with some expressing concerns of potential violence against “liberal churches.”
On Friday evening (Jan 15), the United Church of Christ tweeted out a message to member churches warning “there are reports that ‘liberal’ churches will become targets of possible attacks” from January 17 until Inauguration Day, January 20.
“We strongly encourage you to be attendant to all safety concerns for ministers and congregations, even if that means meeting in a way that is other than in person at a church building this week,” read the statement, which was posted to the UCC’s official Twitter account.
By Jack Jenkins |
Religion News Service Jan 8, 2021 1 of 2
Photo by Jack Jenkins
An interfaith group of religious leaders prays outside of Luther Place Memorial Church on Jan. 6, in Washington.
Photo by Jack Jenkins
WASHINGTON â On Wednesday morning, an interfaith group of religious leaders gathered outside of Luther Place Memorial Church in the nationâs capital. For two hours, the clergy prayed for an end to violence, for an eradication of white nationalism and for a groundswell of racial justice.
Their small prayer circle surrounded a Black Lives Matter sign, created to replace similar banners repeatedly stolen and destroyed by the far-right Proud Boys in December.
As chaos hits Capitol, two forms of faith on display
Hiding in the balcony while a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, at least one lawmaker led her fellow members of Congress in prayer. Trump supporters participate in a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepared to affirm President-elect Joe Biden s victory, thousands of people gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his baseless claims of election fraud. The president addressed the rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
January 6, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) On Wednesday morning (Jan. 6), an interfaith group of religious leaders gathered outside of Luther Place Memorial Church in the nation’s capital. For two hours, the clergy prayed for an end to violence, for an eradication of white nationalism and for a groundswell of racial justice.
Deaths among D.C.’s homeless jumped this year, including 23 who died of the coronavirus Justin Wm. Moyer Karim el-Amin, 42, took shelter Dec. 8 in his tent near Thomas Circle in Northwest Washington. Temperatures were turning colder that week, with lows hovering near freezing. Amin, who suffered from medical issues, did not come out again. The next day when someone checked on him, he was found dead. He is buried with family members at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, just across the D.C. line in Prince George’s County. “I guess he died in his sleep,” said his brother, Qaadir el-Amin. “At least it was a peaceful death.”