Rev Dr William J Barber II Comments on Actions Across the Country Responding to Charlottesville Challenging White Supremacy and White Nationalism

By The Rev. Dr. WIlliam J. Barber, II, President & Sr. Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach National Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival Pastor, Greenleaf Christian Church Member of College of Affirming And Accepting Bishops

I was honored to join Charlottesville clergy this past Saturday at their invitation to preach at the “Love Over Fear Call to Conscience” community worship service and to cosponsor “Forum for the Nation: A Public Conversation on Democracy and White Supremacy.” Charlottesville clergy issued a powerful nationwide call to action to nonviolently challenge white supremacy.

I am also encouraged by the many organizations that have chosen to walk from Charlottesville to D.C. We bless this action led by millennials from diverse backgrounds in this political social moment. The theology of Pentecost says sons and daughters, the old and young must all play a role in the cause of love, justice, and nonviolence. There is much work to do. Our cause requires long term commitment and fusion engagement that moves us forward together. I will also honor a request by millennial organizers to come by the march, pray with them, and listen to their vision for the nation.

We believe in working to ensure nonviolent love and justice movements complement and support a shared vision for justice. As we continue to lead the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival, we pray blessings upon this effort and our shared commitment to advance justice. We are also glad to hear the success of the more than 1,000 clergy that marched in D.C. today for racial justice.

I have a birthday this week. While some may think I’m relatively young at fifty-four, I have pastored for thirty years, buried seniors and teenagers. I’ve survived life and death situations. I know from my own experience how fragile life is. We don’t have time to lose focus about the unity we need to advance justice for all. We must be unified and work together if we are to achieve the moral higher ground.

Forward Together, Not one Step Back!