Our Statement And Call To End Operation Metro Surge

Plymouth Congregational Church, located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis for over 150 years and in the middle of a city and neighborhood that has long welcomed immigrants, seeks to embody the radical love and justice found in the life, teachings and spirit of Jesus. We object to what we see going on in our city and state with Operation Metro Surge.

As citizens, we demand that ICE and Border Patrol agents abide by Federal and State laws guarding basic rights to due process, privacy and equal protections under the law, and against unlawful or unreasonable seizures, and warrantless arrests. We demand, too, respect for – and protection of – the rights of people to freedom of speech and assembly, including the right to protest the cruelty we are witnessing daily.

We call on the Federal Department of Homeland Security to end Operation Metro Surge.

Our faith traditions demand more of us. Our ancient Hebrew tradition teaches that “[w]hen a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the stranger. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the stranger as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt….” (Leviticus, Chapter 19:33-34). Our Christian tradition charges us to love our neighbor as ourselves. As stated by Jesus of Nazareth, “I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)

We encourage all of our members to assist our immigrant neighbors in all practical ways possible. And we are called to pray: for the immigrants who are suffering fear and assault; for the agents, reminding them – and us – that we are all children of God; and finally, for ourselves and each other, that we find our way through this chaos, that we overcome our fear with love, that we stand in the world as beacons for God’s faithful community.

The Deacons on behalf of Plymouth Congregational Church

Peg Birk, Deacon and Co-Moderator

Johanna Schussler, Deacon and Co-Moderator

Maureen Tanis, Clerk and Deacon

Mike McCallister, Treasurer and Deacon

Lani Bennett, Deacon

Dan Dressen, Deacon

John Cairns, Deacon

John Schenk, Deacon

José Pacas, Deacon

Contact: Suzy Martin, Marketing and Communications Manager, suzym@plymouth.org