Moral Mondays heads to Washington: Faith leaders from around the US march on Senate to protest Jeff Sessions
The same social justice leaders who held North Carolina officials' feet to the fire are now bringing their work to Washington. In a mass march on the Capitol, faith leaders gathered to "morally resist the immoral actions of Donald Trump" for his nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions as Attorney General.
In a historic march on Washington, faith leaders from all over the United States gathered at the Capitol Monday to hold an unprecedented protest ahead of Senator Jeff Sessions’ (R-AL) confirmation hearing as Attorney General.
#MoralRevival March to #StopSessions pic.twitter.com/saWmKaa1g1
— RepairersOfTheBreach (@BRepairers) January 9, 2017
The march was led by an interfaith coalition of clergy, most notably by the Reverend William Barber II, who orchestrated North Carolina’s unyielding Moral Mondays protests against that state’s curbing of voting rights. Barber, who is working closely with the Reverend Jennifer Butler, CEO of Faith in Public Life, commented that Sessions has engaged in “fear-driven, discriminatory leadership” and that such leadership is not befitting of an Attorney General.
BREAKING: @RevDrBarber and interfaith clergy head to majority leader's office to denounce @SenatorSessions pic.twitter.com/a4KQLQ9u1M
— RepairersOfTheBreach (@BRepairers) January 9, 2017
Sessions, who was rejected for a federal judgeship in 1986 because he was deemed too racist by the Senate, has voted against hate crimes legislation, voiced consistent antagonism toward voting rights, misrepresented his civil rights record, repeatedly voted against reproductive choice, and supported anti-immigration laws.
We stand with people of faith against bigotry. Our rights must be protected. #stopsessions @BRepairers @RevDrBarber pic.twitter.com/TqmUxQC3u5
— Raise Up For $15 (@RaiseUpfor15) January 9, 2017
Barber also noted that Sessions’ record shows “consistent support for ideological extremism, racist and classist policies, and the writing of discrimination into law.” During the press conference before the march, Barber reminded conservative Christian Senators of their espoused commitment to Christian values, urging them to remember that love and racism are incompatible.
Love thy neighbor! No exceptions! #MoralRevival pic.twitter.com/t0VOzVNCzm
— RepairersOfTheBreach (@BRepairers) January 9, 2017
The interfaith gathering was a show of solidarity between religious leaders in the U.S., coming together to speak out against the Trump administration’s looming attacks on democracy, legal equality, and dignity.
With this example of specific, targeted protest, clergy are taking the lead in demonstrating how a Trump administration can be battled. As Butler said during the march: “We will not submit ourselves to leadership that defies the values and very integrity of this nation. Instead, we will lead this nation together.”
Happening Now: #interfaith clergy and impacted persons lead #moralaction outside @SenateMajLdr office. #stopsessions #moralrevival pic.twitter.com/5AKnHFaWub
— RepairersOfTheBreach (@BRepairers) January 9, 2017
(Melissa McEwan contributed to this article.)