A Message From the General Secretary: SDPC Celebrates: UMC Divests from Private Prisons!
Dear Family, Laura Markle Downton, Criminal Justice Grassroots Coordinator with the United Methodist Church, has wonderful news to share:
“I am writing with the great news that as of last week, the United Methodist Church has divested from both CCA and GEO Group, and the UMC’s Board of Pensions, which controls the investments of our church, has permanently put into place a screen that will not allow us to invest into any corporation in the future that has gross revenues of 10% or more from private prisons.” SDPC celebrates with the UMC as they courageously stand for justice! SDPC is honored to have the UMC as a partner in our To Be Free At Last movement to address mass incarceration and prison injustice. During our 2012 conference, SDPC will be hosting denominational representatives to further our shared agenda and strategies around divestitures. As faith communities in this country and world hold the power to change the direction of our nation, the UMC serves as a model exemplifying the collective power within our churches to tip the moral compass of this century- our voices do matter! The UMC is calling on all other institutions and organizations of conscience to do the same- please see their Press Release, and please join us in spreading the word. The following report is for your special attention: ACLU: Banking on Bondage: Private Prisons and Mass Incarceration Please explore the To Be Free At Last website to purchase The New Jim Crow Book & Study Guide. “We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.”Dr. Iva E. Carruthers and The SDPC Family |
We look forward to seeing you at theSDPC 2012at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, ILFebruary 6-9, 2012Reckoning with Power:DESTROYING CASTE AND RESTORING COMMUNITY *Venue Change:
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