by Kirsti Ruud, Intern, Lutheran Office for World Community

In response to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council (UNHRC) urgent debate regarding racially inspired human rights violations, racism, police brutality and violence against peaceful protesters, an ecumenical call was issued. The ELCA joined the call on June 18 to establish an international commission of inquiry “into the on-going human rights violations of African descendant people in the United States and globally.”

“As Christians believing in the love of God and the call for justice in the Judeo-Christian scriptures,” the joint statement proclaims, “we join with organizations around the world in calling for change and to the upholding of the human rights of African descent people.”

As an intern with the Lutheran Office for World Community, I have the incredible opportunity to “sit-in” on virtual meetings to observe the UN and civil society members actively wrestle with the world’s greatest challenges. An intersectional lens is largely maintained in conversations, making it clear that existing inequalities like racism and xenophobia create differentiated experiences within a crisis. Be the agenda refugee displacement, climate change, and/or COVID-19, existing inequalities too often lead to further oppression of the most marginalized. During the June 18 debate, all speakers condemned racism in all its forms as a scourge on society.

 

THE URGENT DEBATE

While recent world-wide demonstrations speak to the global nature of discrimination against and oppression of Africans and people of African descent, the African countries who collectively requested this specific urgent debate identified the murder of George Floyd by police and other human rights abuses within the U.S. as cause for international investigation. Condolences were expressed to George Floyd’s brother, Philonise, who had appealed to the Council at the onset: “I’m asking you to help me. I’m asking you to help us Black people in America.” There was also consensus regarding the need for international, national, and individual responsibility in order to eliminate the scourge.

Here, paths diverged. Supporters of the Africa group’s call for an international commission of inquiry highlighted the systemic nature of the problem and thus the failure of existing systems to successfully dismantle racism rooted in the U.S.’ long legacy of slavery and imperialism. Tendayi Achiume, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, highlighted the ways in which existing UN mechanisms aimed at eliminating racism on a global scale are already over-burdened. “Failure to establish an international commission of inquiry,” she says, “would signal that Black lives do not matter, or that if they do, they do not matter enough to mobilize the Human Rights Council to intervene where it should.” Delegations expressing their opposition to creating a commission of inquiry emphasized the need to address racism globally rather than single-out a particular country. Historically imperial powers themselves and/or allies of the U.S., largely expressed confidence in the U.S. and its justice system to dismantle racism.

In the end, Council members compromised by adopting a resolution calling for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to “prepare a report on systemic racism, violations of international human rights law against Africans and people of African descent by law enforcement agencies, especially those incidents that resulted in the death of George Floyd and other Africans and of people of African descent, to contribute to accountability and redress for victims.” While this resolution falls short of the level of accountability many were calling for, it is a significant moment. As noted by Human Rights Watch in a Washington Post article, the resolution “nonetheless set the stage for an unprecedented look at racism and police violence in the United States — over the efforts of U.S. officials to avoid the council’s attention — and showed even the most powerful countries could be held to account.”

 

FROM GLOBAL TO INTERNAL

As I listened to the debate happening on the floor of the UNHRC in Geneva condemning institutionalized racism, I thought about the institutions of which I am part in the United States and the ways in which racism and anti-blackness permeate and fester in all areas of society, even within our houses of worship. Just June 17, the ELCA observed the five year Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine who were horribly murdered during a Bible study at the hands of an ELCA member and self-proclaimed white supremacist. Racism isn’t just everywhere, it’s right here.

My faith proclaims that Jesus not only stood in solidarity with the most marginalized, portraying an inclusive vision of the Kingdom of God, but he challenged, called-out, and was perceived as a threat by powers with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Too often, people like me (white, middle-class Christians) read Scripture and identify only with those in Jesus’ good favor and not with empire. Can we acknowledge that racism exists and that we benefit from white privilege? Can we face our comfort and really put ourselves out there, really confront the systems from which we benefit economically, socially and legally at the expense of Black, Indigenous and people of color? Acknowledging that we are a diverse community but still the whitest denomination in the U.S., what would it mean for me, for you, for the ELCA to truly be in solidarity with those in our community who black liberation theologian James Cone names in his book In his book The Cross and the Lynching Tree “the crucified people in our midst?”

 

CALLS BEYOND WORDS TO ACTIONS

I am proud that the ELCA stood in solidarity with the 54 African countries and over 600 human rights organizations calling for the UNHRC to strongly investigate racially inspired human rights abuses in the U.S. I am also heartened that the statement we signed includes asking members as individuals, churches, and communities to:

• Call for an end to militarization, police violence, the killings, and all other forms of violence against African descendant people;
• Commit to dismantling racism and discrimination in all forms;
• Embrace and encourage an anti-racist environment within communities with commitment to accountability; and
• Commit to reflection and introspection that will increase personal awareness and ways to be engaged in solving this global problem.

As several speakers noted in the urgent debate, it is critical that such statements do not remain in word alone. We must muster courage to put faith into action and follow the lead of Black, Indigenous and people of color in our community who have been taking action all along.

Creating God, we pray that you stir within us a courage to embrace your call for justice. Comfort those who are grieving. Help us to name racism as systemic sin and to challenge it boldly, even where it dwells in our own hearts. To those of us with the unearned privilege to ignore the pain, grief, and anger, may we feel implicated, connected, and transformed into action by the Gospel call to love our neighbor and challenge the powers that crucify. Amen

 

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices.

U.N. | California | Kansas | Minnesota | New Mexico | Pennsylvania | Texas | Washington | Wisconsin

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y. ELCA.org/lowc

Dennis Frado, director

UN HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) for Sustainable Development was held virtually from 7-16 July 2020. The theme this year was “Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development.” This year also ushers in the decade of action and delivery which was launched at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit in September 2019. The decade is geared towards stepping up progress towards the SDGs in order to realize their targets by 2030. The HLPF will also examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

Several countries will share their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). In addition to the main programme, there are side events being held daily including some hosted by faith-based organizations. You can follow the sessions and watch live at http://webtv.un.org/live/.

LWF SUPPORTS UN CALL FOR GLOBAL CEASEFIRE TO CURB SPREAD OF COVID-19: On July 6, the Rev. Dr. Martin Junge, General Secretary of The Lutheran World Federation, called on the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Council’s efforts to implement a global ceasefire. On July 1, the Security Council adopted a resolution of support for UN Secretary General António Guterres’ appeal for a ceasefire to help efforts to fight COVID-19 in the most vulnerable countries. Junge  said the LWF is “painfully aware how on-going armed conflicts and hostilities in different parts of the world represent a significant impediment to stopping the spread of the virus.” The letter to the permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — was conveyed to their permanent missions in New York by LOWC. More detailed information is here.

---

California

Regina Q. Banks, Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California (LOPP-CA) lutheranpublicpolicyca.org

BUDGET ADVOCACY WIN: California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Budget Act into law with funding to expand the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) to undocumented tax filers with children under age six. We celebrate and thank the legislature and the governor for this step forward but also acknowledge that so many people are still excluded from this essential anti-poverty policy. Along with coalition partners, we have been pushing over the last months and years to expand the CalEITC to all tax filers. Immigrant tax filers contribute $3.2 billion to state and local taxes every year, yet they are ineligible to receive aspects of the safety net proving so essential in the midst of COVID-19.

OVERARCHING ANTI-RACISM VALUE: The LOPP-CA Policy Council unanimously affirmed a move to center an anti-racist lens to fuel and undergird our advocacy priorities as an organization. An anti-racist approach confronts and dismantles systems, structures, and policies which promote racism and white supremacy. White supremacy and policymaking go hand-in-hand, whether explicitly through historically segregated beaches along California’s coast, or implicitly through access to state programs such as clean vehicle rebates and tax credits. An anti-racist approach centers voices, experiences, and solutions of Black people, Indigenous people, and all people of color. The board will work in conjunction with the director to develop protocols and guidance for how this value will be implemented and measured.

NEW BOARD MEMBER: The LOPP-CA Policy Council welcomes a new ex officio board member, Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith, CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Southern California. Dr. Beckwith oversees the strategic direction and execution of the agency’s core mission and leads a diverse team of 150+ employees across 18  offices in eight counties to improve conditions for underserved and marginalized communities.

LOCAL PARTNERSHIP: The board also voted to participate as a placement for a local young adult discernment organization, Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network (LEVN). LEVN is located in Davis, Calif. and provides spiritual formation, vocational discernment, financial support, and meaningful work at a non-profit placement site. The LEVN volunteer at LOPP-CA will work remotely doing communications, social media, and administrative duties as assigned to support advocacy in the Capitol and engagement in our churches.

BALLOT MEASURES: California has a robust initiative system, whereby voters have direct power to make laws and approve constitutional amendments. Ballot measures for November 2020 include reinstating affirmative action, expanding the right to vote, updating property tax and eliminating cash bail. LOPP-CA will host forums on the most important ballot measures and release a voter guide in September.

ADVOCACY IN QUARANTINE: We continue to host our weekly Wednesdays at Noon briefing on state and federal legislation and call to action. This month, we supported affirmative action, SNAP increases, democratic integrity, and we thanked legislators for the much-needed CalEITC expansion.

---

Kansas

Rabbi Moti Rieber, Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) kansasinterfaithaction.org

RENTERS RELIEF: KIFA is very concerned about the threat to stable housing due to the pandemic and recession, particularly for renters, who tend to be lower-income. Gov. Kelly’s moratorium on evictions expired at the end of May, meaning that thousands of Kansans who are in arrears on their rent are left without any protection, forced to choose between housing costs and other necessary expenses such as food, transportation, medical care and prescriptions, or utilities.

KIFA has been trying to find a way to address this in the absence of a meaningful affordable housing movement in Kansas or, frankly, much concern for poor and working people being demonstrated by legislative leadership. We proposed an amendment to extend the moratorium to the omnibus COVID-19 response bill at the end of the special legislative session in early June, but it didn’t pass.

Since then we’ve been working to get the governor’s COVID-19 response task force, known as the “SPARK Committee,” to take an interest in the issue. We are asking them to designate money from the CARES Act for rental relief and homelessness protection, which is included as a stated purpose in the legislation. Other states have done so.

The issue points out that affordable housing has never been an area of policy focus (or movement energy) in Kansas. It needs to be an integral part of a comprehensive anti-poverty/anti-inequality platform and will require legislative action over the medium to longer term.

---

Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy- Minnesota (LA-MN) lutheranadvocacymn.org

LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Legislators have little to show for their regular session and the first special session, except for some COVID-19 Emergency Bills! However, we should not discount the challenges they’ve overcome with Zoom & Facebook Live committee meetings and floor sessions physically distanced by video to different places in the Capitol.

SPECIAL SESSION #1 DERAILED: June’s Special Session was slated to finish leftover bills from regular session, pass a bonding bill, and provide legislative oversite over Gov. Walz & emergency declarations. The death of George Floyd (by Minneapolis police), resulting protests, and renewed spotlights on racism/policing diverted them.

The House POCI Caucus (People of Color & Indigenous legislators) created a transformative plan for policing with emphasis on systemic/institutional issues, while Republican senators created their own moderate proposals.

The policing issues, along with a House Minority threat to prevent bonding (needs 2/3 vote) unless governor emergency powers ended, individual legislators “gumming up” the process until their issues were heard, and the Senate refusing to allow the session to last longer than a week derailed most everything.

SPECIAL SESSION #2: This session began Monday, July 13. Senate leaders planned to only address bonding, and wanted it negotiated prior to session. The House POCI Caucus claims it won’t accept bonding bills unless a transformative policing bill is also passed. Meanwhile, leaders of both chambers and both parties are meeting out of the limelight, trying to come to some basic agreements.

We hope bonding will pass with affordable housing (bipartisan/bicameral support) but don’t expect much more than that. Even so, getting both chambers to agree to our lower, already compromised housing proposals will be an uphill push. PLEASE check our website regularly for Action Alerts (may change frequently).

[LA-MN Director: Tammy Walhof / 651-238-6506 (call/text) / tammy@lutheranadvocacymn.org. Website: www.lutheranadvocacymn.org] 

---

New Mexico

Kurt A. Rager, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry—New Mexico (LAM-NM) lutheranadvocacynm.org

BUILDING CLOSED DURING SPECIAL SESSION: The New Mexico State Legislature was called into a Special Session by Governor Lujan Grisham that began on June 18^th and lasted for four days. The primary purpose of the session was to make spending adjustments to the state’s already approved spending plans for the fiscal years 2020 and 2021 due to the unprecedented fiscal crisis, which was created by the dramatic downturn in oil and gas revenue projected for state spending as well as the unforeseen economic decline and necessary relief caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Further making the special session extraordinary was the decision by the legislature to close the State Capitol Building, known as the “Roundhouse ,” to members of the public. Only legislators, limited legislative staff, law enforcement protection and select members of the press were allowed into the building. The House adopted temporary rule changes that enabled members of the House to participate off-site, from homes and offices, etc. Thus, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – New Mexico participated and advocated entirely by digital platforms such as Zoom and FaceTime Live, in addition to phone call testimony during committee hearings. Despite being able to monitor multiple meetings and both floor sessions at the same time, public and advocate participation was significantly absent and limited due to the Capitol Building’s technology limitations. LAM-NM is currently working with other advocacy organizations, as well as members of the New Mexico Legislature, to ensure a better plan and preparations are in place for the 2021 60-day session that begins in January of 2021.

---

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Pennsylvania (LAMPa) lutheranadvocacypa.org 

POLICING AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS PASS, ELECTIONS REFORMS ON HOLD AS LEGISLATURE RECESSES: The General Assembly unanimously passed two policing reform bills and a measure to remove barriers to professional licensing for individuals with certain unrelated prior convictions. However, they recessed for the summer while leaving work on elections reforms on the table, as the President’s re-election campaign sued the state over changes made to procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

JUDGE ORDERS ICE TO RELEASE MIGRANT CHILDREN FROM DETENTION: California’s Central District Court ruled that ICE should release children from the country’s three family detention centers, including one in Pennsylvania. Gov. Wolf lauded the decision, saying he “will work with federal and Berks County officials to ensure the safe release of people in custody and provide any assistance necessary.” LAMPa’s network has helped lead monthly vigils at the center and advocated for years to an end to family detention. LAMPa is working with partners in the Pa. Immigration and Citizenship Coalition to protect families from being separated during the ordered release.

RENTAL AND MORTGAGE COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS AVAILABLE: LAMPa staff, along with Lutheran Disaster Response in Pennsylvania, continue to monitor the potential surge in homelessness and advocate for an extension of the state’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, set to end July 10. LAMPa is urging advocates to help spread the word about $175 million of state funding for rental and mortgage assistance. Funds will be distributed in counties on a first-come, first-serve basis. Read more.

PA. HOUSE LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS: A new slate of leaders was elected in the House Republican Caucus following the resignation of former PA House Speaker Mike Turzai. The House unanimously elected Rep. Bryan Cutler of Lancaster County as the new Speaker of the House. House Republicans chose Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) to serve as the next majority leader. LAMPa staff looks forward to working with the new leadership. Read more.

ADVOCACY ENGAGEMENT: Six alerts were shared with LAMPa constituents in June. Topics included state and federal policing reforms, DACA deportation and rental/mortgage assistance. In addition, advocates reached out to their federal lawmakers, securing signatures of the entire state delegation on a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Perdue, requesting an extension of emergency food assistance waivers.

---

Texas

Bee Moorhead, Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy texasimpact.org

Texas Impact members have been busy this week participating in legislative meetings and preparing for safe, accountable voting in 2020.

Texas Impact’s Legislative Engagement Group is meeting with members of the Texas House’s district offices this month about racial justice, and preparing for meetings next month to talk about the moral nature of the budget, stressing that decisions on priority spending are choices. It is not a foregone conclusion that budget cuts are required.

Texas Impact is continuing to promote the “Texas Faith Votes” campaign, organizing Texans of faith to pledge to vote based on four priorities (health, climate, immigration and non-discrimination) and organizing congregations to promote vote by mail options for eligible voters. All thirty-one districts have members who have signed the pledge.

In July, Texas Impact will re-launch our Faith in Democracy series of local advocacy trainings online. Each event will include a faith and community leader panel and tools to equip congregations to be effective advocates and promote safe, accountable voting.

Texas Impact continued the Weekly Witness podcast series featuring speakers from the Washington Interfaith Staff Community and has added a racial justice series featuring clergy of different races discussing racial justice and advocacy.

The weekly e-news has continued to highlight denominational leaders, including all three Texas ELCA Bishops, who continue to recommend congregations listen to the advice of public health officials. Texas ELCA bishops have been leaders throughout the COVID-19 crisis, helping to resource other denominational leaders throughout the state.

The news can be discouraging, but we find hope in the leadership of Texas faith leaders and the level of engagement of Texans of faith.

---

Washington

The Rev. Paul Benz and Elise DeGooyer, Faith Action Network fan@fanwa.org

BLACK LIVES MATTER: As protests for Black Lives continue state- and nationwide, FAN has released a Statement Against Police Brutality and a Platform for Advocacy. The ongoing revelation of police brutality and white supremacist threats against Black people and People of Color has made it clear that we cannot continue the system of policing as it has been in our nation’s history, and we need to examine all of our institutions to root out racism and dehumanizing practices. FAN is part of the WA Coalition for Police Accountability, which is led by families impacted by police brutality. This coalition, as well as the Governor’s 21-member police reform taskforce, will bring legislative proposals to the 2021 legislative session to seek a way forward.

REGIONAL SPRING SUMMITS: We just completed our annual Spring Summits, hosting online events this year in SW WA, Spokane, Central WA, and two in Puget Sound. About 200 advocates joined us from across the state to discuss policy change around economic justice, criminal justice, housing and homelessness, environmental justice, racial equity, immigrant rights, and healthcare and mental health. This year we also highlighted Census 2020 and COVID-19. These discussions will inform our 2021 Legislative agenda as well as our advocacy efforts year-round.

SUMMER/FALL ADVOCACY: As we move into the summer and fall, FAN will be hosting interim meetings and candidate forums in collaboration with local advocates and faith communities. Interim meetings with legislators are a great opportunity to discuss policy issues outside the busy legislative session and build relationships with elected officials. 2020 is a big election year, so hosting candidate forums will be key to hearing how candidates align with our justice priorities. These events will likely be hosted online in light of COVID-19.

---

Wisconsin

The Rev. Cindy  Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) loppw.org

As our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic continues, LOPP-Wisconsin is primarily sharing advocacy updates through video. Find great information in these areas from the previous month:

• WEDNESDAY NOON LIVE (STIMULUS BILL AND SNAP): We interviewed special guest, John Johnson, ELCA Program Director of Domestic Policy: Video
• STIMULUS BILL & IMMIGRATION: We sent a video message created by Bishop Paul Erickson, Greater Milwaukee Synod, to our D.C. office as part of a larger effort to contact Congress about caring for those most vulnerable during the pandemic: Video
• HUNGER: LOPPW sent out its action alert on the stimulus bill again. We interviewed Lindsey Buekelman, All People’s Lutheran Church in Milwaukee—Food Truck Ministry: Filling a hole during the pandemic: Video
• ANTI-RACISM: An advisory council member and the director interviewed former Madison Police Chief and Police Officer in Minneapolis, now an Episcopal priest, Father David Couper – Policing & the Use of Force: Video. LOPPW also participated in the Talanoa Dialogue process led by Ruth Ivory-Moore, ELCA Program Director, Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility.
• VOTING: Participated in Wisconsin Voter Rights Coalition meetings and got a former intern involved. We shared one action alert from the group.
• CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION: We made the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change listening sessions known (LOPPW Press Release). We each attended one of the June sessions. We also held a webinar to help prepare interested members for the sessions: Video. LOPPW’s former advisory council member and director interviewed Chief Meteorologist Bob Lindmeier on Climate Change:  Video
• ADDRESSING SEX TRAFFICKING AND OTHER ABUSES: Webinar with experts – The Pandemic and Living on the Edges of Safety: Video

 

 

from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director

Partial content* expanded from Advocacy Connections: July 2020

POLICING REFORM  |  DACA UPDATE  |  FOREIGN AID  |  CLIMATE CRISIS ACTION PLAN  |  CENSUS 2020

 

POLICING REFORM: In June, the House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, including votes from three Republican members of Congress. This legislation included most of the recommendations suggested in a letter to Congress from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, which the ELCA signed. The bill has currently stalled in the Senate, but advocates can still encourage lawmakers to pass important policies that would help improve just policing in our communities through the ELCA Action Center.

ELCA Advocacy staff will continue to monitor key social justice initiatives and intersectional opportunities in policy to address racism and discrimination. A webinar in late summer on faith values in policing reform hosted by the National Council of Churches is being planned with the ELCA along with several ELCA full communion partners.

 

DACA UPDATE: The Supreme Court in June rejected the Trump administration’s push to end the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that gives nearly 700,000 recipients the ability to work in the U.S. and avoid deportation. Congressional action is still needed to provide permanent legal protection to DACA recipients and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED) holders who are living in a state of uncertainty.

Roughly 74% of Americans support legal status for Dreamers, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. The White House still has the ability to rescind the DACA program and can try again after considering issues of forbearance from deportation and what to do about the imposed hardship applied to those affected. Use the ELCA Action Center to encourage action around a bill that would enhance protection for Dreamers.

 

FOREIGN AID: House appropriators have unveiled an international budget bill for Fiscal Year 2021, including $10 billion to respond to the pandemic through coronavirus preparedness, response and relief globally. ELCA Advocacy continues to push for inclusion of these fund expenditures to support developing countries.

Appropriation is a law of Congress that provides an agency with budget authority. The House and Senate Appropriations committees, through their 12 subcommittees, hold hearings to examine the budget requests and needs of federal spending programs. The House and Senate then produce appropriations bills to fund the federal government. These bills are “marked up,” amended as needed and approved by the Appropriations committees. Find more about the process at NSF.org.

 

CLIMATE CRISIS ACTION PLAN: The House of Representative’s Select Committee on Solving the Climate Crisis issued its long-awaited Climate Crisis Action Plan report on June 30 that recommends policies aimed at creating jobs and transitioning to renewable energy for fuels. Although not bipartisan, many of the report’s provisions appear to be mutually acceptable and are likely to be the basis for future legislation.

All through the plan are mechanisms for addressing environmental justice and racial inequities. The plan includes a National Climate Adaptation Program to help states, tribes and localities prepare for the effects of climate change. It would also create the Climate Resiliency Service Corps that would essentially build on the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps to create jobs by plugging old oil and gas wells and reclaiming abandoned coal mines.

 

CENSUS 2020: At this time, only around 62% of households have self-responded to the 2020 Census online, by mail or by phone. Census takers are scheduled to begin in-person interviewing of households that have not yet responded, starting July 16. Let’s help keep door-to-door visits minimal. Take the 2020 Census now and urge your community to do so too – for your neighbor and yourself.

The Census Bureau announced in spring a deadline extension for collecting census data from Aug. 15 to Oct. 31 due to challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. An accurate count ensures that resources more justly go where they are most needed and is critical for representation in the political process. The ELCA is an official partner of the 2020 Census and will continue to encourage the most accurate count possible. Find resources at ELCA.org/resources/advocacy#CivicEngagement.

 

---

* Receive monthly Advocacy Connections directly by becoming part of the ELCA Advocacy network – http://elca.org/advocacy/signup , and learn more from elca.org/advocacy .

 

By guest blogger the Rev. Athena C. Thomasson-Bless, Social Justice and Advocacy Coordinator, ELCA North Carolina Synod

In a year where we are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Movement is gaining traction challenging police brutality and systemic racism, voting is both more important than ever and may look different this time around. An emphasis of the ELCA presiding bishop is that we are church for the sake of the world. Part of being the church for the sake of the world in 2020 is to encourage and advocate for fair elections and the right to vote.

North Carolina where I pastor and serve on synod staff is a state infamous nationwide for voter suppression controversies. These include gerrymandering, the manipulation of boundaries so as to favor one party or class; same-day registration regulation, which can allow eligible voters to register to vote and cast their ballots on the same day; and voter identification (ID) provisions, which were struck down for disproportionate affect on minority voters.

 

VOTER SUPPRESSION’S UNEVEN IMPACT

I have experienced some of the hoops that one must jump through to be able to vote in North Carolina and elsewhere as someone who was a student for the past nine years and has moved over six times in that span. I’ve waited in lines and driven over an hour to my polling place on one occasion. What I experienced was inconvenience. For many black and indigenous people of color, voter suppression can be a be a vote-prohibitive experience. For example, in the Kentucky primaries this week only 200 polling places were open for voters. And there was only one polling place in Jefferson County, the county with the most people and the largest black population in the state.

Projections this year indicate mail-in ballot use is on the rise. In the first half of this year, many states which do not already have a vote-by-mail election system are scrambling to reimagine the ways we can vote in the midst of COVID-19 realities. Projections by some experts of a second wave of the COVID-19 virus in the fall, and outbreak numbers rising as I write in states including North Carolina, add to the fear that voters may have going to polls. Looming pandemic realities are a real and tangible problem for our election system.

In North Carolina, usually less than 5% of votes are cast by mail in absentee ballot. However, this year, a surge of up to 40% more mail in absentee ballots according to state officials is anticipated. This is why a new bill, House Bill 1169, has been passed in the North Carolina Senate to provide more resources for voting by absentee ballot and to make it easier on voters to request and submit ballots. This bill had three votes against it, all coming from Black Representatives who did not like the bill’s mention of what they called misleading voter ID requirements. This opposition resonates with challenges in our country to white supremacy and systemic racism. Currently North Carolina does not have voter ID requirements in place due to court rulings that struck them down citing the possibility of motivation by racism. Even with this bill generated by bi-partisan support overall and providing more resources for voting by mail, the damage of voter suppression is evident.

Voter suppression has more often than not intentionally targeted the ability of black and Indigenous people of color to exercise the right to vote. This form of systemic racism is not just present in North Carolina, but across the nation. And as adaptation of voting methods to accommodate pandemic realities increases, myths about voter fraud may rise as well.

 

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

As Christians and as Lutherans, we have a responsibility to combat the sin of systemic racism and to advocate for fair and accessible elections. On a congregational level, congregations can provide resources and have Get Out the Vote drives.* The congregation I serve, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary, has a voting team that is encouraging as many people to vote by absentee ballot as possible this November We will have an informational town hall during the Sunday School hour with a guest speaker and ongoing events to make sure our community is educated, is registered and has a voting plan.

Our elections may look a little different this year, so please: educate yourself, your congregation and your community. Start now! November will be here before we know it. Check out your state’s Board of Elections website and our #ELCAVotes resources, stay informed – and make sure to register to vote. We have the opportunity and the responsibility to advocate for justice and peace and use our voice to vote this November.

 

---

* Tips for Get Out The Vote drives and more can be found in the ELCA Civic Engagement Guide.

from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director

Partial content* expanded from Advocacy Connections: June 2020

NATIONAL ATTENTION ON POLICE VIOLENCE AND RACISM  | COVID-19 LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE  |   COMPOUNDED MIGRANT CONCERNS  | PROTECTING VOTING RIGHTS DURING THE PANDEMIC

 

NATIONAL ATTENTION ON POLICE VIOLENCE AND RACISM:  The ELCA recently signed a letter to Congress with a coalition organized through The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights. The letter included specific policy recommendations for just police reform. Campaign Zero, a comprehensive platform of research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America supported by the ELCA since 2016, also includes insights around barriers to effective misconduct investigations and civilian oversight; more available from ELCA.org/BlackLivesMatter.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, held a planned June 16 hearing on potential policing proposals, stating protests show it is clear that police use of force should be discussed. Un-passed bills introduced by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) have received new life in policy discussions in the House of Representatives, including a 2014 proposal to track incidents of police violence nationally and a 2015 bill that would require independent prosecutors in violent incidents.

 

COVID-19 LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE:  The House of Representatives on May 15 passed a second economic supplemental bill (The HEROES Act). The $3.5 trillion dollar package included almost all of ELCA Advocacy’s top domestic priorities– including expanding low-income housing, nutrition and unemployment benefits. However, the passed bill did not include any additional funding for an international response.

It is unclear whether the Senate will take up all the provisions of the House-passed bill. ELCA Advocacy is working with partners to ensure that the next Senate supplemental bill will include funding for international response. An active action alert encouraging the U.S. Senate to take action can be found at ELCA.org/advocacy/actioncenter.

 

COMPOUNDED MIGRANT CONCERNS:  The COVID-19 pandemic as well as federal government response to it have widely disrupted the U.S. immigration system. The ELCA with 250 others signed a letter urging the Department of Homeland Security “to immediately halt expulsions of unaccompanied children and those seeking humanitarian protection and restore the rule of law at our borders” and the CDC to rescind its May 20 order.

Under the CDC order, border officers are expelling some Central American children and asylum seekers to Mexico. The letter indicates reversing the order could allow for the entry and processing of people seeking refuge in the United States. The letter concludes: “Decisions relating to COVID-19 should be aimed at saving, not endangering lives, and should be driven by evidence-based public health measures and respect for human rights.”

 

PROTECTING VOTING RIGHTS DURING THE PANDEMIC:  “Administering elections during a pandemic is new territory for the [U.S.]. But we do not have to choose between public health and a functioning democracy,” reads a letter to members of Congress signed by the ELCA with a coalition of faith-based organizations. It welcomed CARES Act funds for elections but requested more in the next response package “for the Election Assistance Commission to uphold a safe and secure general election and to support states and localities still facing risks with primary elections.”

“We must have as many safe voting opportunities as possible,” reads the letter, which names no-excuse absentee voting with prepaid postage, an extended voter registration period, same day registration, election day contingency plans and online voter registration among other supportable practices.

 

---

*Receive monthly Advocacy Connections directly by becoming part of the ELCA Advocacy network – http://elca.org/advocacy/signup , and learn more from elca.org/advocacy .

 

By guest blogger Katie Thiesen, Deaconess Community of the ELCA candidate from the ELCA New England Synod

The Deaconess Community of the ELCA is using prophetic diakonia – or service that leads to social change that restores, reforms and transforms – to do the work of justice with the Poor Peoples Campaign (PPC). This movement encourages us to be grounded in the thousands of scripture verses that call God’s people to the work of justice.

We claim as Lutherans that we are loved. We also know that being personally loved is only part of the story. Being unconditionally and radically loved is not an end. We more fully realize that radical love when we see the sacredness and love for ALL.

“Every stranger I meet is a part of me I don’t yet know – and I a part of them. Together, strangers, inextricably connected, we live into God’s reign on earth.” – Sister Davia Evans

After hearing the scriptural call to radical love, I have struggled with what it means to do the work of charity. If I see you hungry and feed you one meal, knowing that you will again be hungry later, where does that leave my relationship with you and with God? Matthew 25 connects us to Jesus in the encounter – “when you saw me hungry.” One meal begs many questions, including: Did not God create this world in abundance for all?

I am learning I must never stop with acts of charity. We all need to have daily needs met now, so we need charity now. Yet charity is only needed because we do not have justice and will only be needed until we have justice! Matthew 25:31-46 and James 2:15-22 call us out when we leave one another without needs met. Micah 6:8 calls us to justice.

Hear in this two minute video names and reasons including Emmett Till to Sean Reed “and the too many murdered just because they were black” that compel this deaconess to participate in the PPC: “The Poor Peoples Campaign is a vision and a movement for right now. That’s why I am going.” – Sister Ramona Daily

At a small PPC gathering in 2018, organizers called us together in a circle, asking us to stand next to people we didn’t know. We were then asked to turn to our left and then turn to our right and say, “Hello Image of God!” Even typing this brings me to my knees two years later.

This immediately consecrated everyone in the room! No one was more the image of God than another, and no one less. I felt a surge of the Holy Spirit moving about that space, affirming we all belonged, we all were loved and able to love in return, and we all wanted to be part of each person’s complete wellbeing.

We are not all the same, as 1 Corinthians 12:26 shares, but in all of our beauty and diverse gifts, we are ONE. I do not have all the answers of how to do and be this moral fusion work, but it grounds me and crosses every line of division.

The Deaconess Community of the ELCA endorsed the Poor People’s Campaign in 2019. “For over 130 years our Community has been acting on our call to prophetic diakonia – we can do this better with the Poor People’s Campaign, A National Call for Moral Revival fusion movement,” said Sister Noreen Stevens, Directing Deaconess, of work carried forward with the movement begun by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington on June 20, 2020 will be a digital gathering of poor, dispossessed and impacted people, faith leaders, and people of conscience, marshalling collective voices to demonstrate the power of our communities, and you can register from this link.

“The PPC is a moral call to take care of all of God’s people in an equitable way. The prophets called out injustice, and Jesus stood with the most vulnerable. It is our mandate to follow the command to Love your neighbor. This campaign addresses the root causes of injustice, and we are called through our baptisms to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.” – Sister Dottie Almoney, Chair, Board of Directors of the Deaconess Community

You already have a place of belonging in this movement as we are all doing the work of being the one body we were created to be.

 

Learn more about PPC and the June 20 event from https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/

Learn more about The Deaconess Community of the ELCA from https://deaconesscommunity.org/

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices.

U.N. | Arizona | California | Colorado | Minnesota | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Texas | Washington | Wisconsin

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y. elca.org/lowc

Dennis Frado, director

UN75 – 2020 AND BEYOND: The United Nations (UN) is marking its 75th anniversary this year. At the beginning of January 2020, it launched global conversations to listen to people’s experiences, fears, hopes as well as share the proposals and ideas that will shape the future for all. Everyone is asked to help in #ShapingOurFuture by joining the online dialogues. On May 14 -15, 2020, a virtual UN75 “People’s Forum for the UN We Need” was held. It brought together civil society and other stakeholders. The highlight of the forum was the handing over of the UN75 People’s Declaration and Plan for Global Action to the 74th President of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande. Check out the UN75 2020 and beyond and UN2020 websites to see how you can participate.

---

Arizona

Solveig Muus, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) director@lamaz.org

CONGREGATIONAL OUTREACH: LAMA’s policy team continues to reach out to each of our 85 Arizona congregations to learn how we might serve their needs. One church at a time, we are learning what each is passionate about, what community ministries each supports, and where there might be an advocacy call to action. We are learning a lot and are encouraged by the responses we receive.

COVID-19: As Arizona logged it’s highest single-day rise in coronavirus cases on June 3, we pray for all Arizonans, knowing the numbers are on the rise. In particular we pray for the Navajo Nation, which has seen 5,479 cases and 248 deaths among its 175,000 people, reporting the highest infection rate in the U.S. We thank God that 1,920 people have recovered from COVID-19, with more reports still pending .

This month, three of our team made videos for a Washington Interfaith Staff Community (WISC) campaign to move the Senate to act on a COVID-19 response, and we participated in a call with House Speaker Pelosi on coronavirus, housing and homelessness, and a call with U.S. Reps. Raul Grijalva and Tom O’Halleran on coronavirus crisis funding and recovery.

We continue to be blessed by God in so many ways! While our beloved nation is exhausted and in mourning, we know that God is in our midst at every turn, showing us a way forward.

---

California

Regina Q. Banks, Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California (LOPP-CA) lutheranpublicpolicyca.org

RACIAL JUSTICE: As our state reels from countless incidents of police violence and brutality against Black people and the legacy of white supremacy in this nation, we mourn, grieve, and advocate. We are supporting a bill to end racial discrimination in jury selection, and, along with coalition partners Green CA and Building the California Dream Alliance, pushing forward a larger list of bills related to racial equity and criminal justice reform. We lift up bail funds around the nation to support the voices, rights, and prophetic work of protesters. The Virginia Interfaith Center – one of our fellow state public policy offices – offers this list of resources for faith communities to fight racism.

BUDGET ADVOCACY—CALEITC EXANSION: The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) is an essential piece of anti-poverty policy for Californians, but one group has been consistently excluded: undocumented tax filers. Immigrant tax filers contribute $3.2 billion to state and local taxes every year, yet they are ineligible to receive aspects of the safety net proving so essential in the midst of COVID-19. Along with coalition partners, including interfaith organizations, we have been pushing over the last months and years to expand the CalEITC. The governor’s recent budget proposals lacked this expansion, but in the Legislature’s version the expansion is included for undocumented tax filers with children under the age of six. There is still much work to be done to see this through. We thank all of our advocates fighting with us!

FOOD AND FARMING: Our priority bills are moving through the committee process, with some wins! Two of these support expanded and simplified access to CalFresh for seniors, people with disabilities, and people exiting the criminal justice system. We are partnering with Bread for the World in sponsoring one of these bills. We are also following a bill affecting farmworker communities in conjunction with frontline farmworker and immigrant rights organizations. Our CalEITC advocacy and our work with ELCA AMMPARO also intersect with our food and farming work.

FEDERAL HEROES ADVOCACY: We mobilized our network to advocate for more coronavirus relief for people who have lost their jobs or who are already living on the edge. HEROES, which originated in the US House of Representatives, was thought to be dead on arrival at the US Senate. But concerted efforts of advocacy groups and citizens across the nation have moved the Senate to take up the bill, which would provide relief to state and local governments (of particular importance to California’s State Budget) and increase SNAP benefits as well as other food access programs.

END CHILD POVERTY CAMPAIGN: Several members of Lutheran churches throughout California joined virtual district meetings with federal lawmakers in May, urging strong support of policy recommendations shown to reduce childhood poverty. We were encouraged by the efforts and support of Congressmembers Adam Schiff, Ted Lieu, Anna Eshoo, Rosa DeLauro, Jimmy Gomez, and others.

ADVOCACY IN QUARANTINE: We continue to host our weekly Wednesdays at Noon briefing on state and federal legislation and call to action. This month, we have supported racial justice priorities, CalEITC expansion, CalFresh access, the HEROES Act, and rental assistance.

GOD’S WORK, OUR HANDS, OUR VOICES: Our Lobby Day was postponed until September due to the special nature of the current legislative session. Look forward to an advocacy component to God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday!

---

Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado www.lam-co.org

LEGISLATURE RETURNS: The Colorado General Assembly is back at the Capitol. Their focus in the limited two- to three-week window will be the state budget. All bills with new spending that were pending in March have been killed, leaving only the budget and items with no cost attached.

Several bills that we were waiting for have been killed, including:

• HB 1081, Multilingual Ballot Access – bill on which we advocated during our advocacy day in February to translate ballots into more languages.
• HB 1203, Helping Colorado Families Get Ahead – bill to expand the EITC and Child Tax Credit. We expect a different version of the bill to come back next year.

However, we are still supporting several bills that are under consideration, including:

• SB 029, Cost of Living Adjustment for Colorado Works – bill to tie TANF/Colorado Works funds to increase with inflation.
• HB 1332, Prohibit Housing Source of Income Discrimination – specifies that housing providers must accept any legal source of income and not discriminate.
• A new bill related to Paid Sick Days, which we expect to be introduced soon.

RECOVER COLORADO: We’re part of a coalition called Recover Colorado, advocating that the legislature use state budget reserves appropriately, that Congress provide federal aid to supplement the state budget and that the legislature pass a temporary tax measure to raise substantial revenue.

---

Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy- Minnesota (LA-MN)  lutheranadvocacymn.org

Work continues on LA-MN policy priorities, as well as responses to COVID-19 and racial justice issues. Director Tammy Walhof shared a Modern-Day Psalm of Lament on Facebook on May 31, then added that since writing it the community had seen: “thousands of people into the streets to help with clean-up. It’s brought piles of donations, and an outpouring of concern for the neighborhoods and businesses that have been decimated. Sunday, thousands and thousands of peaceful protesters are marching in various groups throughout the Metro Twin Cities, honoring the memory of George Floyd and calling for the hard work of reconciliation. These first steps are the work of the Holy Spirit! (Unfortunately, some violence continues). Moving forward, may we all strive to live God’s justice, peace, and love with one another.”

---

OHIO

Deacon Nick Bates, Hunger Network in Ohio hungernetohio.com  

FIGHTING RACISM: Lutherans across Ohio mourn with the family of George Floyd and have participated in a series of non-violent protests, vigils, and marches in late May. We will continue to do the hard work of not only avoiding racism, but actively train ourselves to be anti-racists and address the systemic barriers to forming a beloved community. If you would like to get involved in anti-racism work, please contact us.

BALANCED APPROACH TO BUDGETING: Ohio’s governor has already cut $775 million from our state budget due to falling revenues. Advocates continue to push for a balanced approach to budgeting by using our state rainy day fund and seeking new revenue to help our schools, communities and essential public services through this.

Advocates are pleased that families struggling with hunger will have a few extra dollars this summer to use in grocery stores through expanded SNAP benefits for many Ohio households.

---

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Pennsylvania (LAMPa) lutheranadvocacypa.org

Stopgap Budget Sees Increase For Hunger Funding: Gov. Wolf signed a five-month stopgap spending plan, flat-funding programs from general revenues as the COVID-19 impact was anticipated to create a $5 billion shortfall in anticipated state revenue. The plan increases expenditures for hunger, housing and a host of other relief and recovery programs through federal CARES Act funding.  At $50 million, the package more than doubles funding for anti-hunger efforts through the State Food Purchase Program and the Pa. Agricultural Surplus System. Extra funding to help struggling dairy farmers can direct another $5 million into the charitable food system. LAMPa advocates were vocal in calling for this much-needed support.

Emergency Feeding: LAMPa advocates successfully urged policymakers to allow Pennsylvania to pilot a program to allow recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to purchase groceries online as a safer alternative for especially vulnerable individuals and households. That pilot has begun. In addition, hunger leaders effectively encouraged 13 of their 18 members of Congress to sign on to a “Dear Colleague” letter, urging extension of waivers of in-person visits for the Women, Infants and Children and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. LAMPa invited synods and hunger leaders to contact us about any service ministries disrupted by civil unrest.

Child Nutrition: Lutheran hunger leaders reached out to members of Congress to urge the USDA to extend waivers to allow schools and other providers to continue serving meals throughout the summer in non-congregate settings. The waiver was approved. LAMPa’s network also shared information encouraging families who lost income to sign up for free and reduced-price school meals so that their children might be eligible for additional pandemic-related nutrition support.

Collaboration: Director Tracey DePasquale addressed the role of faith-based advocacy as stewardship of citizenship in a virtual gathering for Lutherans Restoring Creation. She also collaborated with Lutheran Disaster Response in NEPA and SEPA synods on a webinar for those engaged in ministries with vulnerable populations in the time of COVID-19.

Hearing on Draft Social Message: Although we were unable to gather in person for our annual Lutheran Day in the Capitol, our keynote, the Rev. Dr. Roger Willer, led a virtual hearing on “Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy.”

 

---

Texas

Bee Moorhead, Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy texasimpact.org

COVID-19 RESPONSE: In May, Texas Impact began resourcing local congregations to share best practices on responding to the COVID-19 crisis and equipping members to advocate for solutions to unmet needs. We ended the month compiling sermons and statements opposing systemic racism and making plans for a legislative package to respond.

Texas Impact is adapting our Treasure Hunt pilot program to equip two congregations to study the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, identify emergency resources, and determine next steps for advocacy. Legislative Engagement Group leaders were trained in May to begin monthly meetings in their legislative district (by Zoom for now) as a group and with their state house district office. The initial meetings focus on how congregations can partner with legislators to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The weekly e-news has continued to highlight denominational leaders, including all three Texas ELCA Bishops, who continue to recommend congregations listen to the advice of public health officials. Texas ELCA bishops have been leaders throughout the COVID-19 crisis, helping to resource other denominational leaders throughout the state.

WEEKLY WITNESS PODCAST: This month Texas Impact continued the Weekly Witness podcast series featuring speakers from the Washington Interfaith Staff Community (WISC), which will include an appearance by John Johnson in June.

“TEXAS FAITH VOTES”: Texas Impact launched a “Texas Faith Votes” campaign, organizing Texans of faith to pledge to vote based on four priorities (health, climate, immigration and non-discrimination) and organizing congregations to promote vote by mail options for eligible voters.

The news can be discouraging, but we find hope in the leadership of Texas faith leaders and the level of engagement of Texans of faith.

---

Washington

Paul Benz and Elise DeGooyer, Faith Action Network fan@fanwa.org

STATEMENT AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR: Faith Action Network joins with many across this nation in deploring the latest murders of Black Americans by police and in calling out for justice. We speak the names of the victims of this recent racist violence and we grieve for their families, their communities, and our nation. We mourn with our communities around the state as peaceful protests are met with riot gear, and we stand in solidarity with nonviolent efforts for justice. See our full statement here.

“PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE” – FAN’S 9^th ANNIVERSARY: We are celebrating our 9^th anniversary as an organization on June 11, with the theme “Protect What You Love.” In tumultuous times with the concurrent viruses of racism and COVID-19, it is vital that we protect the communities and institutions that we love. COVID-19 exposed the fragile support systems that fail to guarantee our neighbors the right to economic stability, housing, food, safety, and healthcare. As our state considers its upcoming budget and the federal government considers new relief packages, we “Protect What We Love” by strengthening programs like SNAP, creating new programs like the Undocumented Worker Relief Fund, and advocating more funding for vulnerable communities, NOT cuts to social services. FAN is raising funds to support this ongoing work which will be matched up to $8500 through June 11.

YAKIMA FARMWORKER STRIKE: FAN supports the efforts of farm workers in Yakima who have been on strike for weeks for protections against COVID-19. Yakima is the county most affected by COVID-19 on the west coast, and the health of our food laborers is vital to the health of all. Volunteers have been delivering homemade masks and forming caravans to join the protestors this month. After a significant advocacy effort by many groups, the governor is requiring all food packing employers to provide PPE and sanitizing stations in all parts of the workplace.

REGIONAL SPRING SUMMITS: Each Spring, FAN hosts four regional summits in Puget Sound, Southwest WA, Eastern WA, and Central WA. This year we have moved those meetings online but continue to host our familiar structure of legislative and congressional updates with a focus on justice issues our advocates would like to work on in the coming year, local advocacy efforts, breakout groups by issue topic, plus discussions on COVID-19 and the 2020 Census this year.

---

Wisconsin

Pastor Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) loppw.org

NEW INTERN: LOPPW welcomes Evan Sadlon, who will be entering his senior year at UW-Madison. He is majoring in religion and history with a minor in political science. He is an ELCA member doing his internship remotely from home in Illinois. He is also preparing for the LSAT this summer. Evan’s focus will be on care for God’s creation.

ELCA: Rev. Dr. Roger Willer moderated an excellent discussion on the draft of “Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy” for Wisconsin and the UP via LOPPW.

WEDNESDAY NOON LIVE: LOPPW interviewed Nurse Elizabeth “Buffy” Riley, who lives in Hayward, WI. Recently, Buffy chose to help at a hospital in New York City. We also welcomed UpNorthNews Journalist Julian Emerson, who followed Buffy’s story.

SAFER AT HOME: The Director assisted the six bishops to organize a letter made up of their input on the WI Supreme Court’s decision to lift the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Safer at Home Order, and made the letter known. LOPPW also participated in the Lt. Governor’s conference calls and one call with the DHS.

HUNGER: LOPPW had a meeting with a food pantry coordinator in Eau Claire and then interviewed her about how to start a food pantry on FB live the following week. We also participated in a conference call with hunger leaders around the state and wrote an action alert about the new stimulus bill.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: Pr. Crane also attended the Festival of Homiletics in between meetings and other work.

by Ruth Ivory-Moore, ELCA Program Director, Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility

What do a Malayan Tiger, Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake, Ridgeway Hawk, Hawksbill Turtle and Eastern Black Rhino have in common? For one thing, each animal plays an important role in balancing and maintaining healthy ecosystems. But also, each of these animals is classified as critically endangered – that is, facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild due in large part to human activity.* In the ELCA resource, “Why Lutherans Care for Creation,” we are reminded that the key tenet of Lutheran ethics has been faith active in love. “When we expand the definition of ‘neighbor’ to include the plant and animal life that surrounds us and upon which we depend, we are called to embrace not only the ‘two kingdoms’ of church and society but also the ‘kingdoms ‘ of the plant, animal and geologic worlds – the entire orbit of our life” (pg. 5). Yet humanity’s greed and selfishness seen in various activities such as poaching, black-markets and deforestation have played a key role in causing these creatures to be nearing extinction.

May 15th was Endangered Species Day, a day set aside to recognize the national conservation efforts to protect our nation’s endangered species and their habitats. This week of May 18th marks the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’, a letter from Pope Francis to all Roman Catholic bishops subtitled “on care for our common home.” In this encyclical he reminded that “[p]eace, justice and the preservation of creation are three absolutely interconnected themes, which cannot be separated and treated individually without once again falling into reductionism” (Laudato Si‘, p.92).

 

PRACTICES THAT PROTECT ARE NEEDED

Peace, or rather the lack thereof, has been historically linked to illegal practices such as poaching. Early in the 1800’s during the Oyster Wars of the Chesapeake Bay, for example, encroaching dredgers and legal Virginia watermen clashed to avoid overuse of the waters. In these uncertain economic times resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the world could see an uptick in certain illegal activities such as poaching. “Rhinoceros poaching has increased in Africa as the novel coronavirus caused countries to announce national lockdowns that put a stop to big game tourism,” reports The Wildlife Society (4/16/20)

The removal of animals from the ecosystem causes the system’s balance to be upset. Practices such as poaching do more than cause the extinction of certain animals. The United States government, recognizing the importance of protection of animal species, in 1973 did what no country had done before and enacted a law to protect and restore the species that are most at risk of extinction. That law, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), has proven to be extremely effective.

 

WITH PRAISE, PRAYER AND POLICY WE EMBRACE OUR ROLE

“Our foundational biblical vocation is to be our ‘brother’s [and sister’s] keeper’ (Genesis 4:9) and ‘to till it and keep’ the Earth (Genesis 2:15),” says “Why Lutherans Care for Creation.” “We are especially called to care for the poor and the vulnerable among us and all around us, including endangered species and at-risk ecosystems.” We work toward sustainability of an acceptable quality of life for present generations without compromising that of future generations. All of creation is interconnected, and we respect and embrace the roles played by animals from the top of the food chain predators like the Malayan tiger to the Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake that controls rodents to keep balance and diversity in the ecological systems. What we do today will have profound impacts on future generations, and we value the life of all creation.

With Endangered Species Day fresh on our minds and with the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’ being recognized by many in the interfaith community, we praise and thank God for God’s beautiful creation. We ask for prayers for all of life and for more understanding of the connectivity of humanity to the rest of creation. As Pope Francis stated in Laudato Si’, “[e]verything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures…”

”Why Lutherans Care for Creation” sets out this challenge: “This is how we love God in, with and under all creation—as neighbors of one another and of all living things on Earth and as kindred spirits with all things in the cosmos. The church calls upon Christians and all people of goodwill and conviction to participate in this great work of our time. Together we may be able to renew and re-form our church to embrace ‘the care and redemption of all that God has made.’”

 

*See a stirring, brief video from National Geographic on these lovely creatures as part of the PhotoArk project.

from the ELCA Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. – the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, director

Partial content* expanded from Advocacy Connections: May 2020

NEXT COVID-19 RESPONSE BILL | DACA CONCERNS | NORTHERN TRAINGLE FUNDS | DEBT RELIEF FOR COUNTRIES | VIRTUAL EAD

 

TOP INTERFAITH PRIORITIES FOR NEXT COVID-19 RESPONSE BILL:  On May 1, the ELCA Advocacy office joined 34 other denominations and religious organizations in a letter to members of Congress. “As organizations representing a broad array of religious beliefs and faith traditions,” it reads, “we write to urge you to act with urgency to pass another COVID-19 response bill that first prioritizes vulnerable individuals and communities.” The letter goes on to share specific concerns, such as a request to collect and release federal demographic data so public health officials can begin to understand and address racial disparities in rate of infection and morbidity due to the coronavirus which are disproportionately higher in communities of color. Other concerns raised include domestic human needs, criminal justice, Native American issues, immigration, health care and more. “Interfaith Sign on Letter – COVID-19 Priorities (May 2020)” can be accessed at domestichumanneeds.com.

Are there priorities you would like to see reflected in the next response bill? An Action Alert at elca.org/advocacy/actioncenter can direct your message to your member of Congress. Additional information to help you reflect on considerations before our nation as this bill takes shape can be found here.

“The witness of this church in society flows from its identity as a community that lives from and for the Gospel. Faith is active in love; love calls for justice in the relationships and structures of society. It is in grateful response to God’s grace in Jesus Christ that this church carries out its responsibility for the well-being of society and the environment” (from Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective, pages 1-2).

 

DACA CONCERNS:  Even as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on the status of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, the ELCA has joined 248 others requesting that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) restore DACA recipients’ access to benefits under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“Access to COVID-19 testing and treatment for DACA recipients and their U.S. citizen children is absolutely critical during this pandemic, particularly for the 27,000 DACA recipients employed as healthcare practitioners and supporting occupations on the front lines of responding to COVID-19,” reads the letter, addressed to Alex Azar, secretary of HHS. Find the letter requesting ACA access restoration for DACA recipients here.

Visit www.c-span.org for live oral arguments before the court and SCOTUSblog.com for live analysis.

 

NORTHERN TRIANGLE FUNDS RELEASED:  Secretary Mike Pompeo announced this week that the U.S. government will release $258 million for the Northern Triangle because the countries have made progress on curbing illegal migration. The United States suspended funding assistance to the Northern Triangle last year.

It’s unclear how the funds will be used, but initial indications are that the money will go toward migration deterrence, security programs and private-sector economic development. ELCA Advocacy is working to assure direction of the funds to support humanitarian support for communities in need. In Central America, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras form the region referred to as the Northern Triangle.

 

DEBT RELIEF TO HELP COUNTRIES FACE PANDEMIC:  The G20, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have agreed to suspend debt repayment for some of the world’s lowest-income countries through the end of this year so that these countries can more easily respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, a move supported by ELCA Advocacy and its faith-based partners.

ELCA Advocacy and other faith-based partners have been pushing for this measure, recognizing the challenges many low- and middle-income countries face during the global pandemic. (The suspension does not include debt owed to private banks or investors.) A letter on this subject, sent by the ELCA and many other denominations in the Jubilee USA Network to address the root causes of poverty and inequality, can be found here at “COVID-19 Jubilee White House, IMF, G20 Letter.”

 

VIRTUAL ECUMENICAL ADVOCACY DAYS:  In place of an in-person event, the annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) conference sponsored by the ELCA held its seminar via web conference on April 29, drawing connections among climate change, economic injustice and the current public health crisis. View the seminar here.

Among the featured speakers were the Rev. Mark MacDonald, archbishop of the Anglican Church of Canada, and Shantha Ready Alonso of Creation Justice Ministries. As part of the webinar, many EAD attendees joined in an action alert to Congress requesting better equity, environmental provisions and global relief in upcoming COVID-19 legislation. Held under the theme “Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored!” the seminar focused on the intersection of climate change, economic injustice and the devastating impacts of inequality on public health.

 

---

* Receive monthly Advocacy Connections directly by becoming part of the ELCA Advocacy network – http://elca.org/advocacy/signup , and learn more from elca.org/advocacy .

 

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices.

U.N. | Arizona | California | Colorado | Minnesota | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Texas | Washington | Wisconsin

Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y. ELCA.org/lowc

Dennis Frado, director

COVID-19 UP-ENDS WORKING METHODS AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS: Like many institutions, the United Nations’ work at its New York headquarters has had to adjust to a lack of face-to-face meetings, by prohibiting them as a safety measure. In normal times, the General Assembly (GA) has used no-objection procedures for draft measures that are less or even non-controversial. A Member State, group of states or the GA President puts one forward and allows Member States a several day period to “break the silence” with any objections or editing of a text. In recent weeks as the GA was unable to convene face-to-face, the President instituted a variation on this to also allow Member States to vote on draft resolutions and make statements via email while also convening some meetings by video conference. While there have been various logistical bumps along the way, most are being ironed out, interpretation being a notable exception.

The Security Council, meanwhile, has had a more difficult path. For several weeks, they could not agree on how to meet until provisional measures were adopted at the end of March and beginning of April. This delay resulted in criticism that it could not respond quickly to perhaps one of the worst threats to international peace and security during the nearly 75 years of the UN’s existence. (As of May 5, they have still not been able to hold a vote on a text on COVID-19 due to disagreements.) A detailed analysis of the situation has been and continues to be covered by Security Council Report.

A remaining concern is the lack of transparency to these processes for those other than Member States and Observer Missions. There have been several communications from civil society groups to Member States to open up the practices so that non-governmental voices can be heard.

Even though the situation has created unexpected hurdles in New York, much of the UN’s work has otherwise continued around the world while both responding to COVID-19 itself and by taking safety measures for staff and providing protection for those with whom they are working to the extent that they are able.

GENDER, FAITH AND COVID-19 RESOURCES: United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Amina Mohammed on April 27, 2020 launched “Rise for All” – a global advocacy effort, led by women leaders to help galvanize global solidarity and support the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. As the world continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, faith actors have been at the fore front responding to the crisis, providing much needed relief, raising awareness and educating communities on accurate information and physical distancing to reduce transmission, as well as advocating to governments. Here are some statements and resources from faith actors that highlight the gender dimensions of the pandemic:

• Coronavirus: Lockdown is a prison for the abused by Shahin Ashraf: https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/coronavirus-lockdown-is-a-prison-for-the-abused
• Global faith-based organizations jointly call for gender justice amid COVID-19 response, World Council of Churches: https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/global-faith-based-organizations-jointly-call-for-gender-justice-amid-covid-19-response
• COVID-19: Churches in frontline against ‘silent pandemic’, Lutheran World Federation, https://www.lutheranworld.org/news/covid-19-churches-frontline-against-silent-pandemic
• Gender, Faith and COVID-19 Resources, Side by Side, http://sidebysidegender.org/gender-faith-and-covid-19-resources

---

Arizona

Solveig Muus, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) director@lamaz.org

As the newest state public policy office of the ELCA, the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) advocacy office opened its doors just a few short weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic took hold. We had just begun the process of introducing ourselves to the 85 congregations and ministry sites in Arizona and look forward to the time when it is safe to gather once again, to make those introductions and build those relationships in person. We are grateful for the Grand Canyon Synod whose communications team has done a remarkable job handling pandemic-related matters for the synod.

LAMA’s focus in the meantime is to gather information and build its network; the policy team is contacting every congregation to listen and to learn how we might serve them, and the Grand Canyon Synod as a whole, in the future. This, we can do by phone!

We also are excited about the opportunity to engage with our congregations in the process of developing a new Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement, and we are hopeful of it being adopted by the ELCA Church Council in June.

---

California

Regina Q. Banks, Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California (LOPP-CA) lutheranpublicpolicyca.org

END CHILD POVERTY CONGRESSIONAL VISITS: On behalf of the End Child Poverty Campaign, members of several California Lutheran churches and LOPP-CA staff met virtually with federal California representatives Zoe Lofgren, Adam Schiff, Ted Lieu, and Anna Eshoo. With gratitude for the important first steps of the federal CARES Act, we advocated to increase and expand access to tax credits for families, provide unemployment insurance to farmworkers, make TANF and SNAP more accessible, and boost funding to other programs related to the health and wellbeing of children living in poverty.

ADVOCACY IN QUARANTINE: We were truly blessed to have many advocates join us during our April Advocacy in Quarantine meetings. Every Wednesday at noon, we give a brief update on federal and state COVID-19 response and lift up opportunities to take action. Our action items included signing on to a letter from Líderes Campesinas for farmworker justice, urging state use of Community Development Block Grants for rental assistance, and participating in the SNAP National Day of Action.

CHURCH AND STATE HEARING: Our office hosted two virtual hearings on the ELCA Draft Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement. The Rev. Roger A. Willer, Director of Theological Ethics in the Office of the Presiding Bishop, moderated our statewide virtual hearing with over seventy people in attendance. Wylie Cook, a student at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, also hosted a hearing for seminary students. Comments from the hearings were submitted to the social message task force.

INTERFAITH ADVOCACY: Along with our partners in the California Interfaith Coalition, we submitted a letter to California’s governor and key legislative decision makers urging inclusion of ITIN tax filers in all COVID-19 relief. ITIN filers are undocumented workers who pay taxes but who are unable to access benefits such as SNAP, unemployment, and stimulus relief checks. The dignity of all human beings is a cornerstone of our faith traditions and compels us to seek greater and more permanent solutions for undocumented Californians.

LOBBY DAY PREPARATIONS: We will soon be hosting our second annual Lutheran Lobby Day on May 20. This will be our first ever virtual lobby day. While we regret that we cannot gather in person at the Capitol, we are delighted that going virtual technology allows more people across our state to participate without having to travel. Participants will meet with legislators from their districts virtually throughout the day. With the California Legislature discussing the 2020-21 budget in mid-May, we are at the ready to make sure that funding goes toward people hit hardest by this crisis.

---

Colorado

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado www.lam-co.org

LEGISLATURE PLANS TO RESUME IN MAY: The Colorado General Assembly is planning to resume legislative operations on Monday, May 18. By statute, the legislature must pass a budget and the annual School Finance Act by July 1. The state Supreme Court has ruled that the 120-day legislative calendar may resume counting from the day when operations were suspended in March (Day 68), so the Assembly may meet for up to seven additional weeks.

FAIR TAX COLORADO: Lutheran Advocacy is a leading partner in the Fair Tax Colorado coalition, seeking to put a tax equity measure on the fall ballot (Initiative 271). We will be circulating petitions when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, learn more at fairtaxcolorado.org.

HOMELESSNESS IN THE PANDEMIC: Lutheran Advocacy is supporting a series of executive requests to Governor Jared Polis, led by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. They include acquiring motel/hotel rooms for shelter space, providing more testing resources with priority for those providing and utilizing shelter services, and providing more personal protective equipment (PPE) for homelessness services providers.

CENSUS RESPONSE: Colorado is a leader so far in the 2020 Census, with a 57.2% response rate. Keep it up at 2020Census.gov.

SYNOD ASSEMBLY: The Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly will take place via digital mediation for the first time ever on Saturday, May 2. We are pioneering ways to be the church for this age!

---

Minnesota

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy- Minnesota (LA-MN)  lutheranadvocacymn.org

LEGISLATIVE SESSION: Both chambers went back into “regular” session on April 14 after an extended recess, though regular in a time of COVID-19 looks very different.

HOUSING & COVID-19: Our Homes for All Coalition (H4A) continues to call for $100 million in rental assistance, and action beyond the governor’s executive order to delay evictions. Without legislative action, thousands of Minnesota households will struggle to catch up on rent or mortgage payments following the emergency, putting their housing at risk.

BONDING: LA-MN (with H4A) is pushing for $500 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds. This would create needed affordable housing while credit is cheap, create jobs, and be an economic stimulus in the COVID-19 recession. Gov. Walz is calling for $275m in housing bonds, but some legislators recently announced they will not support bonding until the Peacetime Emergency ends.

SURPLUS TURNED TO DEFICIT: The predicted $1.5 billion budget surplus for the current biennium is now a $2.4 billion deficit. The $2.36 billion budget reserve offers a buffer, but budget uncertainty and recession lead legislators in vastly different directions – from help for those most vulnerable, to incentives for small business, to austerity.

CREATION CARE VIDEO SERIES: On Earth Day, the EcoFaith Network of the NE MN Synod introduced Moments of Arising, a year-long video series. Originating from work for the postponed summit, the series offers an opportunity (even during the pandemic) to look and listen for green blades rising throughout the Jubilee Year of Earth Day.

 

 

To reach LA-MN Director, Tammy Walhof, please call or text 651-238-6506, or email to tammy@lutheranadvocacymn.org. If you’ve emailed in the last few weeks, please be patient as Tammy catches up after being ill with COVID-19.

 

---

OHIO

Deacon Nick Bates, Hunger Network in Ohio hungernetohio.com  

SOCIAL MINISTRY IN A TIME OF COVID-19 

REPORT FINDS THAT FAITH COMMUNITIES REMAIN COMMITTED TO SERVING THOSE IN NEED. AS NEED RISES, FAITH LEADERS WORRY ABOUT LEADERSHIP, SUPPLIES, FUNDING TO MEET THE DEMAND. 

Full report available here

On April 30  the Hunger Network in Ohio released a report that summarizes a statewide survey of social ministry organizations such as food pantries, community meals, community assistance, and other services our communities offer.

THE SURVEY FOUND:

• Need is up 75% (50% report some increase and 25% report dramatic increase)
• Volunteers remain positive, but growing concerns and burnout are being felt
• More than 60% of respondents indicated that they are seeing an increase in new families in search of food and assistance.

FAITH COMMUNITIES REPORT NEEDING: 

1. A plan: Social distancing is the new norm. How can we implement and adapt social service ministries for the long-term?
2. Federal investments: As the state of Ohio prepares for budget cuts in the next few weeks, faith leaders identified the connection to senior and children services, schools, and anti-poverty initiatives.
3. An economy that works for all: The shortcomings of our social safety net have been exposed. It is time to strengthen unemployment compensation, food assistance and much more to help families through whatever crisis happens next.

---

Pennsylvania

Tracey DePasquale, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry–Pennsylvania (LAMPa) lutheranadvocacypa.org

UPDATE ON COVID-19 RESPONSE: In addition to working to streamline access to nutrition and other relief as well as connect volunteers and resources with emergency needs around the state, LAMPa connected feeding ministries with thousands of meals that were distributed by the Pa. National Guard. Read about one congregation in Clarion that received 3,000 meals. LAMPa staff continues to forward information about grants and other resources related to a variety of ministries across the Commonwealth to our synods. LAMPa submitted letters to lawmakers urging safe release of those who are detained or incarcerated and nearing the end of their sentences for their safety and the safety of those remaining. Staff also urged judiciary committee members to mandate that counties undertake new assessments of ability to pay for those whose fines, court fees or restitution began or extended through the pandemic.

COVID-19 MINISTRY NEEDS SURVEY SHARED: LAMPa recently shared a survey with faith leaders throughout Pennsylvania inviting them to share how they may be adjusting ministries beyond their walls in response to COVID-19 and inviting them to offer both public policy suggestions for recovery and a vision for the future they want to build after the pandemic.

LAMPA SCHEDULES VIRTUAL ELCA SOCIAL MESSAGE HEARING: LAMPa advocates are invited to participate in a virtual presentation and hearing on “A Draft Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy”. The Rev. Dr. Roger Willer, the ELCA Director for Theological Ethics, will share a presentation and hearing on the message on May 18.

ADVOCACY ENGAGEMENT: LAMPa constituents responded to action alerts on federal COVID-19 recovery needs and support for the veto of a harmful environmental bill, HB 1100. In addition, LAMPa shared informational alerts on imminent deadlines for low-income, blind or disabled persons to apply for stimulus payments. Pennsylvania hunger leaders signed on to a letter to Pa. Department of Human Services, requesting changes to policies to remove barriers to safe access to nutrition, including a petition to urge that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits cover grocery delivery fees.

BE COUNTED!: LAMPa continues to urge Pennsylvanians to apply for and vote by mail-in ballot and complete the 2020 Census.

---

Texas

Bee Moorhead, Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy texasimpact.org

Texas Impact is resourcing local congregations to share best practices on how they are responding to meeting unmet needs in their local communities and how they can effectively advocate on behalf of vulnerable populations in their communities.

In April, Texas Impact interviewed ELCA’s Trinidad Ariztia for the Weekly Witness podcast and promoted the human migration Action Alerts and sign on statements. Texas Impact organized more than 300 telephone calls to the Governor, urging him to expand Medicaid and will be participating in a Virtual Rally to expand Medicaid in Texas.

The weekly e-news has continued to highlight denominational leaders, including all three Texas ELCA Bishops, who continue to recommend congregations not meet in person (despite the Texas Governor classifying worship as an “essential service” and beginning to “reopen” the state). Texas ELCA bishops have been leaders throughout the COVID-19 crisis, helping to resource other denominational leaders throughout the state. Recently, a Texas Episcopal bishop reached out to Texas Impact for examples of guidance other denominational leaders were promulgating; we were able to connect the Episcopal bishop with the ELCA bishops, and we know that this connection was mutually beneficial. Texas Impact appreciates the opportunities we are having in this time to assist and collaborate with denominational partners and will continue to connect leaders throughout the state who need support and guidance.

Finally, Texas Impact has recruited 69 Legislative Engagement Group leaders to organize Legislative Engagement Groups throughout Texas to build relationships with their state legislative offices. We are connecting people within each House district to provide community and a sense of accountability. The first Legislative Engagement Group training will be hosted virtually on May 7.

We feel encouraged by the level of advocacy participation during this unprecedented time and are looking forward to continuing training and connecting the faith community in the months to come.

---

Washington

Paul Benz and Elise DeGooyer, Faith Action Network fan@fanwa.org

COVID-19 SUPPORT: FAN is serving as the lead ally to ensure that small to medium sized African American churches survive the COVID-19 pandemic by securing resources to keep their ministries viable. Eight African American clergy members presented a five-point letter in mid-March to the governor and FAN is supporting them as they continue to navigate state and federal resources.

FAN is also part of a legal advocacy effort to lessen the COVID-19 threat in our state prisons. Following an emergency lawsuit in March that was taken up by the Supreme Court, people at one state prison led a protest over COVID-19 exposure while family members and advocates led rallies and vigils for safe social distancing measures in prisons. The court ordered the Governor to create a release plan within three days, and on April 23 the court heard remote oral arguments and voted 5-4 in favor of the Governor and the Department of Corrections. The state will release approximately 1,000 people with low level convictions and those who are set for release within the next 3-6 months, but no more after that.

2020 CENSUS: FAN continues to send weekly opportunities for faith communities to encourage their members to participate in the census, from bulletin inserts and flyers to include in food packages, to children’s activities and videos from our partner organizations. We held a statewide faith-based census webinar with Washington Nonprofits and the US Census Bureau to brainstorm with faith representatives how best to reach historically undercounted people in their communities, and we plan to host another webinar in May.

ONLINE REGIONAL SUMMITS: FAN every year has four regional summits around the state – this year they will be online with gatherings happening in May and June in Vancouver, Spokane, Yakima, and Puget Sound. There will be time for a review of our recent legislative session and COVID-19 updates in each of these areas.

---

Wisconsin

The Rev. Cindy Crane, Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) loppw.org

LOPPW PRIORITIES: Our council decided to address policies that impact those most vulnerable during the pandemic, and council members will step up when needed.

WEDNESDAY NOON LIVE: Interviewed Judith Roberts, ELCA Director of Racial Ministries and Rev. Lamont Wells, President of the African Descent Lutheran Association for Inoculation against Hate: https://www.facebook.com/LOPPW/videos/1574812612669786/ Created a video and prepared for May’s program.

VOTING: We kept members alert to changes to April voting and encouraged people to obtain absentee ballots. We advocated for an extending the deadline for receiving absentee ballots and for changing the election day’s date. We also posted a press release.

SAFER AT HOME: Participated in several Lt. Governor’s conference and communicated changes to our members. We also were part of an amicus to the WI Supreme Court advocating against overturning Governor Ever’s Safer at Home article. LOPPW was one of the groups featured in the  attorney’s brief.

HUNGER: Participated in a conference call with hunger leaders around the state. Shared with them and our list serve an action alert from our D.C. office. Also participated in a webinar with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to prepare for another action alert, and in several webinars on the stimulus bills.

ANTI-SEX TRAFFICKING: Advised an assembly person on an anti-sex trafficking resource. Participated in a quarterly meeting with the Wisconsin Anti-human Trafficking Consortium. The problem of trafficking has not subsided during the pandemic. Exploitation online has increased. Initiated a discussion with Women of the ELCA to hold a webinar.

CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION: Made several resources known for Earth Day. Participated in a South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Care for God’s Creation meeting, and statewide call to discuss the Governor’s task force on Climate Change. Planned for an environmentalist and former member of an ELCA congregation in WI to join us for our new “Say it in Five Minutes” segment.