Resolution Number: | 2018-A229 |
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Title: | Acknowledge Police Violence and Confront Racism |
Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
Final Text: |
Resolved, That while we honor and raise up the work of dedicated police officers who put their lives on the line to serve and protect, we also acknowledge the numerous inexcusable deaths and intimidation of people of color at the hands of law enforcement personnel in communities all over the United States, including but not limited to Standing Rock; New York City; Rapid City, South Dakota; Falcon Heights, Minnesota; North Charleston, South Carolina; Ferguson, Missouri; and Baltimore, Maryland; and be it further
Resolved, That these and events like them are an unconscionable affront to the Gospel commandment to uphold the dignity of every human being and require a prophetic response by clergy and laity. We therefore deplore any and all efforts that have occurred and may occur to silence these voices; and be it further
Resolved, That The Episcopal Church hereby does condemn the improper actions of authorities against people of color or any actions that make clergy and laity feel they should not speak out or take nonviolent action to eliminate the sin of racism.
Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Austin, 2018 (New York: General Convention, 2018), p. 678. |
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Legislative History
Author: | Legislative Committee on Racial Justice and Reconciliation (meeting jointly) |
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Originating House: | House of Bishops |
Originating Committee: | Racial Justice and Reconciliation |
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Racial Justice and Reconciliation presented its Report #6 on Resolution A229 (Condemnation of Racial Discrimination and Encouragement to Confront Racism) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution:
(A229)
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That while we recognize the many dedicated police officers who put their lives on the line to serve and protect, we also acknowledge the numerous inexcusable deaths of unarmed men and youth of color at the hands of law enforcement personnel such as those seen in Rapid City, South Dakota; Falcon Heights, Minnesota; North Charleston, South Carolina; Ferguson, Missouri; and Baltimore, Maryland, are having a detrimental effect on our communities; and be it further
Resolved, That we acknowledge the blackballing of clergy who speak up on matters of race as a roadblock to the Church being a leader in racial healing, justice and reconciliation carrying forward the Jesus Movement; and be it further
Resolved, That The Episcopal Church hereby does condemn the improper actions of authorities against people of color or any actions that make clergy and laity feel they should not speak out or take nonviolent action to eliminate the sin of racism.
Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That while we
recognizehonor and raise up the work of the
many dedicated police officers who put their lives on the line to
serve and protect, we also acknowledge the numerous inexcusable deaths and
intimidationof unarmed men and youthpeople of color
at the hands of law enforcement personnel such as those seen
inin communities all over the United States, including but not
limited to Standing Rock; New York City; Rapid City, South Dakota; Falcon
Heights, Minnesota; North Charleston, South Carolina; Ferguson, Missouri; and
Baltimore, Maryland, are having a detrimental effect on our
communities; and be it further
Resolved, That we acknowledge the blackballing of clergy who
speak up on matters of race as a roadblock to the Church being a leader in
racial healing, justice and reconciliation carrying forward the Jesus Movement
these and events like them are an unconscionable affront to the
Gospel commandment to uphold the dignity of every human being and require a
prophetic response by clergy and laity. We therefore deplore any and all
efforts that have occurred and may occur to silence these voices; and be it
further
Resolved, That The Episcopal Church hereby does condemn the improper actions of authorities against people of color or any actions that make clergy and laity feel they should not speak out or take nonviolent action to eliminate the sin of racism.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #263)
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Racial Justice and Reconciliation presented its Report #4 on HB Message #263 on Resolution A229 (Condemnation of Racial Discrimination and Encouragement to Confront Racism) and moved concurrence.
Deputy Dinwiddie of Michigan moved to amend the resolution.
Proposed Amendment:
In the first resolve clause, delete "while" prior to "we honor", and delete the comma after "protect" and replace with a semi-colon.
Debate ensued on the amendment.
Deputy Garner of Alabama moved to end debate on the amendment.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
An electronic vote was requested on the amendment.
An electronic vote was taken on the amendment, resulting in 294 yes votes and 491 no votes.
Motion defeated
Amendment defeated
A vote was taken on Resolution A229.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #394)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 13.
Abstract: | The 79th General Convention condemns instances in which law enforcement personnel have been involved in inexcusable deaths and intimidation as an affront to human dignity, and condemns efforts to silence voices or prevent actions to eliminate the sin of racism. |
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