Black Christian leaders across the country have signed the declaration. We will not go back.
CLAYMONT, Del. — The Witness, Inc., a Black Christian Collective dedicated to racial justice, announced the launch of its Not Going Back campaign, a national invitation calling Black Christian leaders and their allies to publicly oppose the accelerating erosion of voting rights for Black communities.
Led by President and CEO Danielle Marck, the campaign speaks from a specific and historic tradition; the prophetic Black Church has never separated faith and civic life. From Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter, Black Christians have put their bodies, voices, and institutions on the line to secure civil rights. Not Going Back is a declaration that this generation will not allow these contributions to be in vain.
“The Black church has always known that voting rights are not simply a political issue. The fight for our rights is a justice issue, a moral issue, and a theological one. We are rising, once again, to the moment and to the legacy our community has of civic witness. The Not Going Back declaration is just the start.”
— Danielle Marck, President and CEO, The Witness, Inc.
Charter signatories reflect the depth and breadth of Black Christian leadership across the United States and include Dr. Jemar Tisby, leading historian of race and Christianity and founder of The Witness, Inc.; Dr. Christina Edmondson, co-host of Truth’s Table; Timothy N. Welbeck, Esq., Director of the Center for Anti-Racism at Temple University; Lisa Sharon Harper, Founder and President of Freedom Road, Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, President of Sojourners; and a growing coalition of pastors, theologians, attorneys, and faith-based activists nationwide.
The campaign arrives at a critical moment. Voting rights advocates have documented a sustained effort to restrict ballot access, shutter polling locations, and suppress voter registration — measures that disproportionately affect Black communities. For The Witness, bearing witness to injustice is not a new fight. It is the same fight, in a new chapter.
“Every generation faces a moment that demands that we choose to rise to the moment or fumble our opportunity to be courageous. This is that moment for our generation.”
— Danielle Marck, President and CEO, The Witness, Inc.
The Witness is calling every pastor, congregation, and Christian who refuses to watch historical accomplishments be dismantled in silence to sign its declaration because the world needs our witness and to know we are not going back.
Sign the declaration at change.org/p/a-call-to-bear-witness-not-going-back.
###
ABOUT THE WITNESS, INC.
The Witness, Inc. is a Black Christian Collective that exists to bear witness to Black life and liberation by communicating, convening, and catalyzing leaders addressing the core concerns of Black Christians. Learn more at thewitnessinc.com. Follow @thewitnessbcc on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACT
The Witness, Inc. Communications
###
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.
Original Source: