A letter of support for speaking out against racial injustice

To whom it may concern:

This letter has been composed by ministers and brethren of various Churches of Christ in the U.K. We are indeed saddened by recent media reports and images on both the electronic and printed media relating to the death of George Floyd. It was truly shocking and utterly unacceptable to see the way in which George lost his life at the hands of those who were meant to serve and protect.

As people everywhere use their voices to speak up against injustices and racism meted out against people of colour, we do not believe it is right that we remain silent, but that we use spaces to promote change for the better.

We support the decision of the authorities to arrest Derek Chauvin and charge him with the murder of George Floyd, we expect the other officers to be equally held accountable.

During his earthly ministry Jesus Christ of Nazareth continually spoke and stood against injustice and division. He taught men the fundamentals of equality in these simple words — love thy neighbour as thyself.

In like manner we, the church leaders and brethren stand together against all forms of racism, inequality and division wherever it exist. Scriptures teach people everywhere to seek justice, to be inclusive and to show kindness.

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

“Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality.” Acts 10:34

Within our communities we are committed to remaining vigilant in addressing issues of racism and speaking out against the unjust treatment of people, irrespective of colour. We join with the family of George Floyd especially on the day of his funeral which took place on 9th June 2020. They are in our thoughts and prayers that God would comfort their broken hearts and ease their pain during this time of great sadness.

Despite the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, we must continue to send the message that there is a better way.

Collectively, we call for persons of every ethnicity to take a stand, to use their voices to speak against systematic and any other form of racism and inequality.

We expect for every believer, regardless of race, to recognise the value of black lives, and advocate for fair and equitable treatment.

In Christ,

Dexter Joseph — Stratford Church of Christ
Stephen Eusell — Stockwell Church of Christ
Malcolm Armstrong — Hammersmith Church of Christ
Winifred Joseph — Stratford Church of Christ
Lesley-Ann Lewis — Lewisham Church of Christ
Faith Joseph — Stratford Church of Christ
Philip Adu-Bobie — Stockwell Church of Christ
Julia Adu-Bobie — Stockwell Church of Christ
Anastasia Lewis — Lewisham Church of Christ
Godwin Kanton — Thamesmead Church of Christ
Sydney Lewis — Lewisham Church of Christ
Andrew Oppong-Adjei — Tooting Church of Christ
Emmanuel Boateng — Stratford Church of Christ
Kwame Gyebi — Leytonstone Church of Christ
Asha Peltier-Noel — Thamesmead Church of Christ
Charity Kwabia — Thamesmead Church of Christ
Sam Kwabia — Thamesmead Church of Christ
Ernestina Kanton — Thamesmead Church of Christ
Irene Ansah — Thamesmead Church of Christ
Rhea Darby-Lewis — Lewisham Church of Christ
Daniel Darby-Lewis — Lewisham Church of Christ
Hosea M Sonko — Lewisham Church of Christ
Dimitri Knight — Lewisham Church of Christ
Dave Vincent — Lewisham Church of Christ
Patricia Sealey — Lewisham Church of Christ
Donna-Marie Anderson — Lewisham Church of Christ
Athena Theodotou — Wembley Church of Christ
George Gyabeng — Lewisham Church of Christ
Johnson Durairaj — Lewisham Church of Christ
Luis Enrique Castillo Guzman — Lewisham Church of Christ
Enrique Ricardo Castillo Briñas Patricia Sealey — Lewisham Church of Christ
Donna-Marie Anderson — Lewisham Church of Christ
Athena Theodotou — Wembley Church of Christ
George Gyabeng — Lewisham Church of Christ
Johnson Durairaj — Lewisham Church of Christ
Luis Enrique Castillo Guzman — Lewisham Church of Christ
Enrique Ricardo Castillo Briñas — Lewisham of Christ
Lisette Castillo Guzman — Lewisham of Christ
L. Elena Guzman Johnson — Lewisham of Christ
Eunice Santos — Stockwell Church of Christ
Rhonda Peters — Stockwell Church of Christ
Joyce Pentil — Thamesmead Church of Christ
Emmanuel Inyiri — Lewisham Church of Christ
John Weston — Lewisham Church of Christ
Dawn Weston — Lewisham Church of Christ
Kweku Twumasi — Lewisham Church of Christ
Hilda Twumasi — Lewisham Church of Christ

Filed under: Europe George Floyd immigrants International London Opinion race and church Race relations responding to the death of George Floyd social justice United Kingdom Views