By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
A coalition of faith-based organizations stood outside of the U.S. Capitol on March 5 to demand that Congress defend against the 47th president’s assault on the Constitution and vulnerable communities. The group endured the rain and wind to condemn the president’s efforts to end birthright citizenship, freeze federal funding, shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and abolish the Department of Education (ED).
The vigil was part of a larger ongoing demonstration called “Faithful Witness Wednesdays,” which will continue to take place outside of the historic building every Wednesday in March. If demands are not met, the coalition plans to extend the vigils.
“Historians and political scientists argue that modern democracies don’t die suddenly due to a coup or violent takeover— though democracies around the world are dying—but to a leader, often democratically elected, who consolidates power and proceeds to erode democratic norms and institutions,” said the Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, president of Sojourners. “In our context, both our courts and, yes, Congress are the guardrail. They are the bulwark to prevent that from happening.”
The 47th president has been met with litigation as a result of his recent executive actions. Multiple lawsuits and court injunctions have been filed to challenge the actions of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the halting of foreign aid, the enforcing of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) bans and more.
Taylor explained that the court proceedings will take a considerable amount of time. He urged Congress to stand against the 47th president and exercise its constitutional powers.
“We know there’s going to be an appeal process, and that is going to be a long process. Meanwhile, far too many are unnecessarily going to be harmed and hurt in our communities and around the world,” said Taylor. “For members of Congress, particularly those who are followers of Jesus, I want to end with Jesus’ words: ‘What does it profit to gain the whole world and forfeit your own soul?’”
Sojourners, a Christian organization dedicated to political advocacy, spearheaded the “Faithful Witness Wednesdays” initiative. Other faith-based organizations at the vigil included the Baptist Joint Committee (BJC), National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), United Methodist Church (UMC) and the United Church of Christ (UCC).
Bishop Julius C. Trimble, general secretary of the general board of church and society for UMC, said the event signals to the president that religious groups will not look the other way while communities are harmed.
“The administration needs to know that the faith community is not just going to quietly sit by as people are hurt, people lose their jobs and people lose access to food assistance or health care, so that they can cut taxes for the billionaires,” said Trimble. “We believe this is a time for faith communities of all religions and no religion to speak up because the budget is a moral document. It represents whether or not—as Abraham Lincoln said—we’re going to lift all of the artificial weights from its citizens or we’re going to put more burden on the most vulnerable.”
Exit polls revealed that 63 percent of Protestant or other Christian voters cast their ballot for the 47th president last November. Nearly 59 percent of Catholic voters did the same.
Trimble advised Christians to take a look at the example set by Jesus and in scripture.
“What does the Lord require but for us to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God?” said Trimble. “The nations will be judged on whether or not we fed the hungry, whether or not we clothed the naked and whether or not we welcomed the stranger.”
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