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Four UCC clergy join interfaith leaders’ vigil

Seattle UCC clergy who attended included the Rev. Angela Ying, senior pastor at Bethany United Church of Christ (center, fifth row with All Black Lives Matter sign); the Rev. Steven Davis, executive minister, Plymouth Congregational Church (back row, third from left); the Rev. Kelle Brown, lead pastor, Plymouth UCC (preparing to speak, next to Father Ryan), and the Rev. Gary Southerton, pastor of Broadview UCC (back row, third from right).            Photo courtesy of Bethany UCC

At noon on Friday, June 5, Seattle clergy of many faith traditions gathered and filled the steps of St. James Cathedral for a silent vigil and moment of lament with Father Michael Ryan of the cathedral.

The clergy came out to protest racism and police violence. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the clergy stood silently six feet apart wearing masks, as funeral bells rang continuously for eight minutes and 46 seconds for George Floyd and all the people killed by police in this country.

That includes the 200 people, mostly black and brown brothers and sisters, killed by the police in Washington State since 2005.

A consent decree was put in place on Seattle because of excessive force by the Seattle police in 2012, after Native American John T. Williams was killed by Seattle police while crossing the street.

Work to defund the Seattle police budget by 50 percent or more and instead fund much needed communities for affordable housing, jobs, human and health services, and restorative justice is before the mayor and Seattle City Council.

For information, call 206-725-7535 or email angelaying@bethanyseattle.org.

 

Pacific NW Conference United Church News - Copyright © Summer 2020

 

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