On March 21 members of the Washington Ethical Society and senior leader Amanda Poppei joined with some 200 people representing a broad interfaith spectrum to officially launch the SanctuaryDMV network.  SanctuaryDMV represents 60 congregations of 17 faiths—and counting–in the DC, Maryland and Virginia metro region, who are committed to being in solidarity with immigrants and other targeted groups.  The participants included Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, humanists and ethical culturists.

 

Standing on the steps of Foundry United Methodist Church on a chilly Tuesday, faith leaders called on people of conscience to resist policies that target and deport millions of undocumented immigrants and discriminate against marginalized communities including people of color, Muslims, and the LGBTQ community.  The gathering then marched to the White House, where protest songs were sung.  Amanda Poppei was asked to give the closing words.  Despite the challenging times, Amanda told the gathering she was filled with hope as she worked in solidarity with other people of faith and conscience.

 

There are many ways to participate as a sanctuary congregation, among them responding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, accompanying immigrants to their hearings with ICE, sponsoring You’re your Rights seminars, and housing a targeted person in a faith group’s building. The WES board created a Sanctuary Task Force to explore the most helpful ways for our congregation to be engaged.