The Union of Black Episcopalians has posted a statement by young-adult members about the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and violence that has occurred since then.
The statement follows.
In the wake of the tragic death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, the Young Adults of UBE have issued a statement.
In response to the August 9, 2014, shooting which claimed the life of Michael Brown, 18, an unarmed young black man in Ferguson, MO, and
In response to the demonstrators who have gathered to peacefully express their outrage, anger and frustration at the death of this young man, and
In response to the current state of martial law imposed by local authorities opting to maintain order at all costs, rather than to “protect and serve,” and
In response to the Federal Aviation Authority restrictions on airspace and media blackout imposed by authorities to prevent news outlets from broadcasting the use of teargas, rubber bullets and police dogs on civilians, and
In response to the attempt to institute a media blackout to antagonize and brutalize demonstrators, and
In response to the arrest of news reporters — a violation of the First Amendment right of a free press, and
In response to citizen media via social networking sites as the only medium by which we are most likely to receive honest reporting, and
In response this situation’s eerie reminders of countless cities across the United States in the 1960s, and
In response to the lasting effect this situation will have on the young black residents of Ferguson, MO, and how they will relate to police officers in the future, and
In response to the subculture of prejudice against black people resulting in headline after headline of another American lying dead in neighborhood streets,
We, the Young Adults of the Union of Black Episcopalians, call on the National Board and local chapters to:
Join us in prayer for the repose of the soul of Michael Brown, and to
Join us in reaffirming our Baptismal vow to “strive for justice and respect the dignity of every human being,” and to
Join us in condemning the use of excessive force by authorities, and to
Join us in condemning the resulting looting and destruction of property, and to
Join us as we stand in solidarity with the residents of Ferguson, MO, in their demand for justice, and to
Join us by teaching us the appropriate channels to carry our message to the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Office of Black Ministries and the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri so that the prophetic voice of Episcopal Church resounds in speaking against the legacy of institutionalized oppression in the United States and across our world.