The Church Times (UK) reports that over 200 clergy and laity were arrested in a peaceful voting rights protest in Washington, D.C. Among those arrested were several Episcopalians.
CLERGY and lay leaders in the United States, led by the Revd Jesse Jackson and the Revd William Barber, have been arrested during a protest in Washington, DC, over voting rights.
Members of the Episcopal Church’s clergy were among the 1000 demonstrators. Several were arrested and fined.
The event marked the end of a month-long campaign organised by the ecumenical Poor People’s Campaign, established by Mr Barber as a “season of non-violent moral action to save our democracy”.
It included a four-day march from Georgetown to Austin, Texas — chosen as the culmination of the march, as a Bill in the Texas legislature would clamp down on the state’s postal-voting rules, and include new ID requirements that, it is said, would affect the young and people of colour disproportionately.
Episcopalians arrested included:
The Rev. Melanie Mullen, director of the Episcopal Church’s Office of Reconciliation, Justice and Creation.
The Revd Virginia (Gini) Garbasi, rector of St John’s, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Page, vestry member of St John’s, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
At the march in Austin, TX, participants included The Rev. James C. Harrington, Proyecto Santiago Missional Community – Hispanic Ministry, St. James’ Episcopal Church.
We're out here in Washington, DC, today to call on Sen. Manchin, Sen. Sinema, and others to say: Which side are you on? Get on the justice side! Get on the freedom side! Get on the side of voting rights & economic justice! This is your moment. #PoorPeoplesCampaign #MoralMonday pic.twitter.com/kPTldb0pmL
— Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II (@RevDrBarber) August 2, 2021