Serve, Work and Transform: With Insurrection in the U.S., Commit to Antiracism Work in 2021

Friday, January 8, 2021

With Insurrection in the U.S., Commit to Antiracism Work in 2021

Contact Your Representatives

Yesterday (Wednesday, January 6) we witnessed an alarming insurrection in the US as pro-Trump supporters broke into the Capitol building. Their events yesterday were alarming, but not surprising given Trump’s rhetoric and threats and the increasing fascism and overt violence we have seen in the past weeks and years.

We know that democracy is fragile, and we remain rooted in the history and principle of active nonviolence as we seek to protect democracy and continue to challenge the powers and principalities. We know also that this work must be done in all our communities and in coalition with many groups. In that spirit, we look to Choose Democracy and encourage all of us to follow their advice to contact our representatives:

"At this moment, we do not believe the events of January 6 require a national mass mobilization. We believe such an action could severely backfire by giving Trump an excuse to call in the troops. Other pillars of society are responding with appropriate behaviors, further suggesting this is not a viable coup. However, we are closely monitoring as these fast-moving events unfold.

"The deeper work of preserving and expanding our democracy remains ahead: fighting for greater voter access, working to transform the media landscape, and pressuring politicians to reform the electoral system. Contact your House and Senate representatives — especially if you live in a Republican district — to send a message that Trump supporters are not the only ones they have to worry about in the next election."

Creating the Future We Envision

Abolitionist Advent wrapped up with a final post for Epiphany that imagines what is possible if we continue on a path of working for justice.

Join us for eight weeks of meeting in small groups to work deeper on our antiracism practice. The deadline to sign up for these Praxis Circles is tomorrow (Friday, January 8) and they will begin meeting the week of January 25. These will spaces where we learn and act together using the forthcoming PPF Abolition Reader, a collection of articles and essays on abolition, dismantling white supremacy, transformative justice, and related topics. Sign up here today.

Presbyterian Abolitionist History Event

From John Rankin and Gideon Blackburn, through to Angela Davis’ legal defense: a conversation with David Staniunas from the Presbyterian Historical Society, looking back at the ways that Presbyterians have participated in various abolitionist movements (or haven’t!) and how the light of those stories might illuminate contemporary abolitionist movements in new ways for the Church.

Thank You for Your Donations

We are still counting the total amount given at the end of 2020 for our Advent campaign, but regardless of the final number, we are grateful for you as you joined with us to support our work together. Our work is entirely funded by individuals and congregations like you and thank you for being a part of it.