SPRINGFIELD – On Sunday, September 22nd, Bishop William J. Barber, II, President and Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, joined religious leaders in Springfield, Ohio, to stand with the Haitian community there and directly address the Republican presidential ticket in an open letter.
Barber quoted Scripture, reminding former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance – who have in recent weeks demonized the Haitian community in Springfield – of what it says about our obligation to immigrants.
“The Scripture says in Exodus Chapter 22, ‘Do not mistreat or oppress the immigrant for you were foreigners in Egypt,’” he said. “The Bible says in Deuteronomy Chapter 10, ‘The great God, the mighty and awesome one who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes, defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow and loves the foreigner or the immigrant residing among you…. You are to love those who are immigrants, those who are foreigners, for you yourself were once foreigners.’”
Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz of Temple Israel in Dayton, Ohio, spoke of Judaism’s traditions of welcoming immigrants.
“I stand here today because as a Jew my faith demands that of me. It is our responsibility to speak out against the xenophobic lies and misconceptions that are threatening our neighbors. Haitian migrants like all people are created B’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God,” she said. “When fear and prejudice dictate our actions towards others, we fragment our world further, moving us further and further from the world that is meant to be.”
The Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Executive Director of Ohio Council of Churches, quoted from the 10th chapter of John.
“Jesus says the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” he preached. “We’re here because we are aware that some people are trying to steal and kill and destroy the character and the culture of our Haitian sisters and brothers. Somebody’s trying to kill and steal and destroy the aspirations and the hopes and the dreams of our Haitian siblings. And we’re here saying we have not been silent and we’re not going to start being silent now.”
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Atwater of High Street United Methodist Church in Springfield prayed for compassion for Haitian immigrants.
“Gracious and ever-loving God, we come before you with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits knowing that you are the protector of the oppressed and the refuge of the vulnerable,” she preached. “Today we lift up before you our Haitian brothers and sisters, immigrants who have faced unimaginable struggles and challenges in search of safety, peace, and opportunity. We ask that your divine shield be upon them, protecting them from harm, prejudice, and injustice.”
The diverse religious leaders signed their names to an open letter to Trump and Vance asking them to apologize and atone for the lies they have told about the Haitian immigrants in Springfield.
“We write in the love and truth of God. Even though we disagree with you on policy and political positions, we still have God’s love for you as a member of the human family. You, the Haitians, all of us are God’s creation; this is a biblical fact,” the letter reads.
But it goes on to note that the Bible says that God hates a “lying tongue” and a “false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
To that end, the letter informs Trump and Vance that “the point of public service is to serve all the people by establishing justice in order to ensure domestic tranquility. Your words and actions have made a mess in this community.”
It calls on them to ”repent your lies and tell your supporters to let the people of Springfield live in peace.”
To view the press conference, click here.
ICYMI
- CNN: Trump’s false claims haven’t just triggered a string of bomb threats in Springfield–they’re also draining funds, 9.22.24
- WKEF (ABC): Bishop Barber urges Springfield to vote for justice, reject migrant misinformation, 9.22.24
- The Tennessee Tribune: Bishop Barber urges Springfield to vote for justice, reject migrant misinformation, 9.22.24
- WHIOTV7: Religious leaders host prayer vigil to support Haitian immigrants in Springfield, 9.22.24