Join the voices of many local and national leaders!
JUSTICE AND UNITY RALLY JUNE 5, 2009 - 5:00 p.m. (CST)
Lake Michigan Community College, 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI
A hearing before the Michigan Supreme Court will be held on Tuesday, June 9th in Grand Rapids to determine if Rev. Edward Pinkney's case or any part of it will be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court.
To show support for Rev. Pinkney, a Justice and Unity Rally is scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2009, 5:00 p.m. (CST) at the Lake Michigan Community College in Benton Harbor or send letters of support to the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference to be shared at the rally (admin@sdpconference.info or 4533 S. Lake Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653). This is an opportunity to act on behalf of freedom of speech.
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference is reaching out to churches and organizations asking for a show of support at the rally. If you are in or near the area of Benton Harbor, MI, please mobilize your members, families and friends to attend the Justice and Unity Rally on Friday evening at Lake Michigan Community College, 2755 E. Napier Avenue in Benton Harbor.
Religious Groups, Law Professors, Free Speech Advocates Join ACLU-MI in Support of Preacher Sentenced to Prison for Criticizing Judge
National and state organizations file 3 friend-of-the-court briefs in support of Rev. Edward Pinkney's case
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2008 CONTACT: Michael J. Steinberg, ACLU of Michigan Legal Director at 313.578.6814
DETROIT - A diverse group of religious organizations, law professors and free speech advocates submitted three friend-of-the-court briefs today condemning the imprisonment of a Benton Harbor minister sentenced to 3-10 years for writing an article criticizing a judge. Rev. Edward Pinkney, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, paraphrased the Bible in his article and predicted what God might do to the judge who presided over his case.
"We are thrilled with the overwhelming support from the religious community, constitutional scholars and free speech organizations," said Michael J. Steinberg, ACLU of Michigan Legal Director. "The groups persuasively argue for the fundamental American principle that a preacher cannot be thrown in prison for his religious speech even if some find it offensive." The three friend-of-the-court briefs were filed in the Michigan Court of Appeals by more than a dozen national and local faith-based organizations; a group of Michigan law professors who teach and research in the area of First Amendment protections, civil rights, criminal law, and constitutional law; and the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression.
The religious freedom brief represents the views of a wide array of religious and faith-based groups including: the National Association of Evangelicals, the American Jewish Congress, the Christian Legal Society, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the Liberty Legal Institute, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, the National Baptist Convention, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Gamaliel Foundation, the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference and Rev. Harry T. Cook.
According to the brief, Rev. Pinkney's article is "a textbook example of one important rhetorical and theological tradition within both Christianity and Judaism? Quoting scripture is core religious speech; the Framers of the First Amendment could not have imagined that it would ever be a criminal offense to quote scripture."
The professors' brief represents the views of 18 law professors at the University of Michigan Law School, Michigan State University College of Law, Wayne State University Law School, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. The brief explains that under well-established constitutional law, Rev. Pinkney's newspaper editorial could not be the basis for punishment in a court of law. "In this country, under this Constitution, and on this Court's watch," they explained, "he must not be imprisoned for speaking his conscience."
The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression argued in its brief that Rev. Pinkney's editorial was not a "true threat" under well-established First Amendment law. According to the Center's brief, "In finding that Rev. Pinkney's newspaper editorial violated his conditions of probation, the lower court punished speech at the core of First Amendment protection: public criticism of the judiciary." The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression is a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution dedicated solely to the protection of the First Amendment rights of free speech and free press.
Rev. Pinkney is an associate pastor at the Hopewell Baptist Church and is the founder of the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO). He has long been an outspoken community activist and advocate, frequently denouncing injustice and racial inequality in Benton Harbor, its local government, and the Berrien County criminal justice system in particular.
In 2007, Rev. Pinkney was sentenced to probation for violating Michigan election law. However, his probation was revoked and he was resentenced to 3-10 years in prison solely because of an article he wrote for a small Chicago newspaper. Quoting a passage from the Bible, Rev. Pinkney predicted that God would punish the judge unless he "hearken[ed] unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe [and] to do all that is right." Rev. Pinkney also expressed his opinion in the article that the judge was racist, dumb, and corrupt.
In representing Rev. Pinkney on appeal, the ACLU of Michigan argued that the statements Rev. Pinkney made in his newspaper editorial, while offensive to many, are clearly protected speech under the First Amendment. On December 18, 2008, the Court of Appeals granted Rev. Pinkney's motion for bail and ordered him released upon posting bond in amount to be set by the Berrien County Circuit Court. Rev. Pinkney was released from prison on December 24, 2008. However, the Berrien County court placed restrictions on his bond that include 24-hour house arrest, prohibitions on giving speeches including in his own church, and bans against any "demeaning" behavior. Although the ACLU asked the appeals court to remove these harsh and unconstitutional bond conditions, the motion was denied and Rev. Pinkney remains confined to his home pending his appeal.
In addition to Michael J. Steinberg, Rev. Pinkney is represented by ACLU Cooperating Attorneys James J. Walsh and Rebecca O’Reilly of the respected corporate law firm Bodman LLP.
We have been asked to join other organizations to broadly distribute public information from the CDC. I am pleased to forward this information and resource link for your use and further distribution. Please note there is also a link to a prepared Bulletin insert, or CLICK HERE for the insert.
Prayerfully,
Dr. Iva E. Carruthers General Secretary
A Message from Miriam Burnett, MD Resource and Promotion of Health Alliance
As many of us will celebrate this Sunday with Communion, please be mindful, as always, on good hand washing and careful distribution of the elements. In times like these it is important to consider even minimal social distancing techniques like individual disposable communion cups instead of a common cup, pouring of water on the hands of the clergy (for desired symbolism) followed by an alcohol based hand sanitizer prior to the distribution of the elements. Other examples are included on the website below.
"We want you to be aware of the most up-to-date information on the Swine Flu outbreak in the US. The following URL is for the CDC Swine Flu website that provides information on the investigation and recommedations for health care providers and the general public: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/. I have attached some of this information from the website. You should check the CDC website frequently for the most up-to-date case counts from investigations. Please share with your partners."
Tools and Resources for Influenza Preparedness
The United States, as well as other countries, has confirmed cases of swine influenza (sw H1N1) virus infection. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), working together with other U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, provides the following information and resources to support efforts to address this outbreak. Please visit: http://www.ahrq.gov/prep/swineflu.htm.
Miriam J. Burnett, MD, MDiv, MPH President R.A.P.H.A., Inc. Resource And Promotion of Health Alliance, Inc.
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16b (KJV)
SAVE THE DATE!
CONFERENCE 2010 February 22-25, 2010 Trade Winds Resort St. Pete Beach, FL
The link on the right ("SDPC INTEGRITY IS NOT FOR SALE!") is SDPC's statement regarding recent questions concerning our policies.
Remember...
First they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up, because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me. [Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892-1984)]
"In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney Our Elder Speaks for the Villlage
"Not On Our Watch" (Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.)
We encourage you to send this to your colleagues, friends and local media. (Click here) for the PDF version.
“Not On My Watch!”
For nearly a year, I have been greatly disturbed by the attack on the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright and Trinity United Church of Christ, which has culminated in recent weeks into a media feeding frenzy that has tarnished everyone in the process. For 36 years, this man of the Gospel and noted theologian has faithfully served his church, his community and his God, by helping those who could not help themselves and by lifting up those who have lost hope. Dr. Wright’s ministry has been consistent and his commitment to the faith unmatched. While media critics, who have not spent a day in seminary, and have no idea how to exegete the Gospel, might find his sermons objectionable, Dr. Wright’s theology and sermonic delivery are deeply rooted in the faith and sacred traditions of Black Church.
For those who do not know Black Church or for those who simply have not taken time to do the research, here is a mini-history lesson. For the first 150 years of slavery, no organized religious bodies ever attempted to convert those who were enslaved. We established our own congregations and churches, based on our African-ancestored traditions mixed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the process, we became committed to the idea of freedom. There were over 300 known slave rebellions in the United States, the vast majority of which were led by preachers of that day, like Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner. Because of that, two white men had to always be present at any slave-led church service. Even while enslaved we had preachers and pastors who spoke to the needs of our condition.
Now, there have always been accommodationist preachers, those who go along to get along. In biblical terms, they are false prophets. A prophet is simply one who speaks on behalf of God and God’s people. A true prophet speaks truth to power and is not politically correct. The Old Testament prophets were not politically correct. The Apostle Paul was not politically correct. And Jesus, the son of God, was not politically correct. Jesus upset the status quo. He disrupted the comfortable. Remember, Jesus got angry and threw the money-changers out of the temple. Jesus raised some holy hell. So why can’t Dr. Wright? You see, true prophets speak for God, use colorful language and occasionally use a non-traditional method to get their message across.
There is a strong, historical and contextual relationship between the slave-preacher and the social justice, activist preacher of today. And there is a place and role for God’s angry prophets—think Amos, Micah, Isaiah and Jeremiah. They spoke on God’s behalf to kings, to the poor and to the enemies of their nation. Then there are the 20th and 21st century prophets like Vernon Johns, Martin Luther King Jr., Samuel DeWitt Proctor and Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. The difference between false prophets and true prophets is the false prophet speaks to what the masses and those in power want to hear. The true prophet speaks truth no matter how painful. There is a price to be paid for being a prophet. And Dr. Wright is now paying that price both publicly and privately.
It was author Alex Haley who underscored the role and relationship of the Black pastor and their congregations. He said, African American pastors are akin to the African griot, a leader, shepherd, father and the one in whom the story of one’s people has been embodied. For Trinity United Church of Christ and the greater African American faith community, Dr. Wright has been and is a formidable griot. At 81, I am an elder in this tribe of social justice preachers, but I, too, can say the legacy and reach of Dr. Wright’s ministry has influenced my faith.
So what has been lost in inflammatory rhetoric and the talking heads of the day is that Dr. Wright, a theological scholar who speaks five languages fluently, has inspired a church to create over 100 fully-functioning ministries, created seven separate corporations, led thousands to Christ, speaks Sunday after Sunday out of a long and storied, proud and prophetic tradition of our faith. And he speaks in the tradition of the slave-preacher and social justice proclaimer who believed in setting the captives free.
Dr. Wright represents the best among us, one of the best in this tribe of prophetic preachers. He has made his church a place where one could express the centuries-old pain of being Black in America, while finding strength for a brighter day. An attack on this man of the God is an attack on all those of the cloth who believe in the social Gospel of liberation. And I will not stand for it. Not on my watch. Not today.
