Local clergy and community groups will march in support of the national
movement to end racial disparities, focusing on our criminal justice system
Community members and coalition members of the local faith-based Partnerships to Empower People and the NAACP’s Alamance People’s Assembly will gather for a short press conference and a 1.25 mile march from Ebenezer Baptist Church to First Christian UCC in Burlington, NC.
We march in solidarity with those peaceful protesters across our nation calling for equal protection under the law. To further this goal, we support a commitment to the improvement and full enforcement of all laws prohibiting racial profiling, to the full investigation of all possible cases of excessive force in policing, and to the reversal of current trends in the militarization of local law enforcement.
We also march in support of all community members, especially members of law enforcement, who believe that the only way to avert future tragedies, remedy today’s unsustainable conditions, and heal our historic wounds is to embracing as our best hope the formidable work of building relationships across all barriers. Or as it says in the book of Isaiah, we hope to join those who
“…will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities… (and) will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.”
To that end, this event is an urgent invitation for our community to begin that work.
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When: Tuesday, December 23, 2014 Press Conference begins at 11:30 am. The March will run from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm, with a short prayer service at 1:00 pm.
Where: Press conference, March begins at Ebenezer, UCC, 734 Apple Street, Burlington, NC. March ends at First Christian Church, UCC, 415 South Church Street, Burlington, NC. Van transportation will be provided to take people from Ebenezer to First Christian. Bus transportation will be provided to return to Ebenezer from from First Christian.
Those who are unable to walk the March are encouraged to join us before the March for the 11:30 press conference and after the march at 1:00, for a brief prayer service at First Christian.
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Contact: Noah Read, Alamance NAACP – attentionalamance@gmail.com or 336.260.4399
An invitation for this event can be shared from Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/330171610508695/
Speakers at the event include:
Barrett Brown, President-elect of the Alamance NAACP, media spokesperson, b.brown1906@gmail.com or 336.512.2898
Rev. Phil Hardy, pastor at Life’s Journey UCC, media spokesperson, PHardy32262@aol.com or (336) 266-1617
Rev. Ervin Milton, pastor at Union Chapel UCC, Burlington
Rev. James O. Patrick, pastor at Gethsemane Christian Church, Burlington
Rev. Suzanne Shoffner, visitation pastor at Macedonia Evangelical Lutheran Church, Burlington
Dorothy Yarborough, Chair Alamance County Committee on Civic Affairs
Rev. Mark Pickett, pastor at First Christian UCC, Burlington
Alamance NAACP Blog 