Members of the Claremont School of Theology Community,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Claremont School of Theology was founded more than 140 years ago with a vision rooted in the Gospel and carried forward by generations of people who have believed in the transforming power of compassion, justice, and belonging. In every season of our history, we have stood with the marginalized, the oppressed, and those who put their faith into action for a more just world. That commitment remains unshaken today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We write to you now in a moment of deep moral concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We stand in unequivocal solidarity with immigrant families and communities targeted by unjust policies and unlawful enforcement actions. The recent increase in aggressive tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) represents a dangerous escalation in the criminalization of vulnerable people. These actions not only violate human rights\u2014they betray our deepest theological and ethical convictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also strongly reject the decision by the President of the United States to deploy armed federal troops into the Los Angeles area. This militarized response to constitutionally protected peaceful protests is a misuse of government power and a direct threat to democracy, public safety, and moral leadership. CST joins other institutions of faith and conscience in condemning this action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We affirm the right\u2014and indeed, the necessity\u2014of peaceful protest as an act of sacred resistance. Nonviolent witness is at the heart of every movement for justice. We lift up and support those who are taking to the streets, gathering in sanctuaries, and raising their voices against oppression, in the tradition of prophetic justice-makers past and present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are especially proud of the faithful leadership of our partners in the United Methodist Church and the broader faith community:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 West Los Angeles United Methodist Church, a historically Japanese congregation with living memory of its members\u2019 own forced incarceration during WWII, will host a prayer vigil tonight at 8:15 PM<\/strong>. This will be a sacred space for lament, hope, and community solidarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 An interfaith prayer vigil will be held this evening at 6:00 PM in Grand Park, downtown Los Angeles, uniting voices across faiths in a call for justice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 Additionally, you are invited to join Father Greg Boyle, Rabbi Sharon Brous, Valarie Kaur, Bishop Taylor, and other faith and community leaders tonight\u2014Tuesday, June 10 at 6:00 PM\u2014in Grand Park (200 N. Grand Ave) for a candlelight vigil in solidarity and shared prayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CST\u2019s mission calls us to educate leaders who are prepared to respond to the needs of a hurting world with wisdom, courage, and compassion. That means not only teaching justice in our classrooms but embodying it in our collective life. We are not neutral. We are not silent. We are on the side of those seeking refuge, safety, and liberation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now is the time for moral clarity. Let us pray together. Let us stand together. Let us act together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because justice is not optional\u2014it is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In faith and solidarity,<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Grant Hagiya, Co-President<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan, Co-President<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steve Horswill-Johnston, Senior Vice President for Advancement & Communications<\/p>\n\n\n\n Andrew Dreitcer, Senior Vice President for Academics and Dean of the Faculty<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kyungsig Samuel Lee, Senior Vice President for International Relations<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Members of the Claremont School of Theology Community, Claremont School of Theology was founded more than 140 years ago with a vision rooted in the Gospel and carried forward by generations of people who have believed in the transforming power of compassion, justice, and belonging. In every season of our history, we have stood with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":38528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,304],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-presidents-office"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n