WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15 denominations and 15.7 million African-American churchgoers, calls on Christians everywhere to pray for the soul of America.
The church is saddened and angered that juries across the U.S. refuse to convict privileged majorities at the expense of unarmed and defenseless young black men. Black mothers and fathers must know that their black boys will be protected by the law and not be a victim of the law.
How much pain must a race of people continue to take?
A favorable verdict for Mr. Michael Dunn undoubtedly ignites deeper racial divides and instigates conflict. The church cannot continue to tell black mothers that they must sacrifice their boys to the racist fears of white males and to a law deeply rooted in evil.
The American Legislative Exchange Council, ALEC, is the true guilty party in this case. They have created justifiable homicide, rooted in racial discrimination. ALEC must be held responsible for every single death around the country. Our justice system continues to fail defenseless black youth.
All my life I have tried to create a symphony of brotherhood, and now I must spend the rest of my life fighting against organizations such as ALEC which do nothing but legislate for the privileged at the expense of the poor and underserved. Do not expect the church to utilize its enormous moral power to stop nonviolent protests.
This verdict undermines the principle of God and our fragile democracy and should be considered with the utmost severity. We know Jordan Davis’ death will not be in vain, and NBCI will continue to fight for justice when it comes to the “to stand your ground” law. Legal homicide must stop in the name of God.
Rev. Anthony Evans is president of the National Black Church Initiative. For other information, visit naltblackchurch.com
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