SANCTUARY MOVEMENT LAUNCHES #SACREDRESISTANCE, CALLS ON CONGREGATIONS TO OPEN DOORS FOR UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE AT RISK DURING TRUMP’S SHAMEFUL RAIDS

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SANCTUARY MOVEMENT LAUNCHES #SACREDRESISTANCE, CALLING ON CONGREGATIONS TO OPEN THEIR DOORS FOR UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE AT RISK DURING TRUMP’S SHAMEFUL RAIDS


Washington, D.C. - Massive raids targeting immigrant families throughout the country are planned for this weekend according to press reports. Houses of worship and religious leaders across the nation are responding to these threats to families and continued attempts to strike fear in the hearts of our immigrant neighbors. 


The National Sanctuary Movement, a network of local Sanctuary Coalitions and congregations, reaffirms its commitment to stand by undocumented immigrants and their families and offer sanctuary to those in need. We are launching the #SacredResistance Map - a tool immigrants and allies can use to find congregations in their area that are willing to open their doors in times of crisis. 


“As ICE reportedly prepares for massive country-wide raids, faith communities are standing up and taking action. These types of actions violate our religious beliefs and values. We are opening up our arms and our doors to immigrants, creating safe spaces where families can gather, unite, find services and legal support,” said Rev. Noel Andersen of Church World Service. “With over 1,000 congregations that make up this movement,we pledge to resist these raids and continue to offer Sanctuary to our undocumented siblings.”


Congregations and coalitions that are on the map are ready to open their doors for immigrants in need of safety or to organizers who want to have a central place to respond to raids. Those wishing to sign up to be part of this effort can do so by visiting bit.ly/SacredResistance. 


“ICE arrests and raids and even the threat of them, terrorize families and entire communities, separates families and creates irreparable harm. This must stop. We condemn the use of terror, arrests and imprisonment as a way to answer the complexity of why people have to leave their homes and migrate. The dignity of human beings should be at the heart of our immigration policy.  We are a network of faith communities, sanctuary congregations and those willing to be places of community support for families feeling fear.  We are calling on faith communities to join us and a national movement of #SacredResistance to these raids.” said the Rev. Debbie Lee, Executive Director of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity in CA.


Rev. Isaac Villegas, pastor of Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship in NC said: “God’s love is an invitation to live in solidarity with people in our communities who are being terrorized by ICE. When the government tries to tear apart our communities, it’s time for people of faith to show that nothing will stop us from loving our neighbors—not even unjust laws and oppressive politics.”


Find the #SacredResistance Map at bit.ly/SacredResistance


Learn more about the National Sanctuary movement at www.sanctuarynotdeportation.org  
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