Statement by Rev. George C. Gilbert, Jr., representing more than 1,000 Washington, DC area churches, delivered at St. John's Episcopal Church on June 2, 2020.
Once again, men and women of God come to the battlegrounds between love vs. hate, right vs. wrong, truth vs. lies, righteousness vs. evil, justice vs. injustice, and ultimately, God vs. Satan.
We Stand today outraged with President Trump’s:
- Use of the military against peaceful protestors standing for right and righteousness
- We stand today outraged with President Trump’s use of the Holy Bible and St. John’s Church for a photo op
- We stand today outraged because of President Trump’s lack of care or concern for the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and those who protest against racism and police brutality
The African American community is under attack. We are under attack from racist police officers who beat and shoot first and ask questions later.
We are under attack by the “Amy Cooper’s” who accuse Black men of attacking them, while using their White privilege, which has been instilled in them that Black lives don’t matter.
Where is the outrage from the Evangelicals who proclaim that they stand for justice and righteousness?
We are under attack by a system of imperialistic colonialism that teaches White America that everything Black is wrong and that people of color are no more than a detriment to the success of this country. This evilness is the root to the killing of Brother George Floyd. This evilness is the root to the killing of Sister Breonna Taylor. This evilness is the root to the killing of Brother Ahmaud Arbery.
It is because of America’s intentional silence of her sins, that we come once again with blood spilled on the streets, and police still not held accountable.
Where is the outrage from the Evangelicals who proclaim that they stand for justice and righteousness? Where are the voices from the politicians who ask for the votes of Black communities year after year?
And Mr. President, I know you stood right here and held the Bible in your hand, but it is clear that you don’t have it in your heart.
And I come by to warn you Mr. President that just as pharaoh believed that he would dominate the Hebrew children of the Bible, you believe that you can dominate His people today. But I must warn you Mr. President that that Bible that you held upside down in your tiny hand teaches us that God is always on the side of the oppressed.
God is always on the side of the downtrodden. And I promise you that your hands are too small to box with God.
God is always on the side of the downtrodden. And I promise you that your hands are too small to box with God. Mr. President, that same Bible that you used for a photo opp says whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. And so, Mr. President, I must warn you to repent from your evil ways.
You are representing everything that we are out here protesting against. We are outraged by your divisive leadership and abuse of power. What we witnessed yesterday was a tyrannical actions that attempted to use the security of the nation for totalitarian rule. Mr. President, we find the misuse of the Bible and the church, as a mere photo opportunity deplorable and disgraceful.
We believe that the president of this great land, in this time of tremendous trouble, should provide leadership in reformation, conversation, and healing. Instead, the people of our land have received division, threats, hatred, and classism.
We the Black Baptist clergy of Washington, D.C. stand firmly with the people and against the actions of President Trump and racism and call for change!
Ephesians 6:12-13:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Amos 5:24:
But let Justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a mighty stream!!!
Note:
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