Thread: A new shelter (undocumented) in Chicago

This is a translation from La Raza. I didn't know there was a movement. Slim Coleman is involved again.



A new shelter in Chicago

Roxana Garcia | April 10, 2008

Iglesia.jpgLa Unity Church of Christ from the Wellington Avenue joins the movement of shelters for undocumented.

After decades of working for the rights of refugees and undocumented, the Church of Christ unit of Avenue Wellington formally declared as a shelter to accommodate people who wish to resist a deportation order.

The blunt position is that the "government of the United States. UU. Has not complied with its obligation to make laws just and humane, "said La Raza Reverend Dan Dale.

The site has rich history of religious services to immigrants who goes back 80 years, when it declared haven for escapees to the civil wars that struck some countries in Central America, becoming the first religious institution to take this position in the country.

The leader of the church considers it imperative that communities of faith to join the immigration movement, as "not correct, nor morals, or just" the separation of families. He added that "the time has come for the churches say clearly that we are against criminalizing people who leave their place of origin is not by chance, but by necessity."

In his view, believed that the flow of migrants to the United States. UU. Is due to the free trade policies that are affecting the economy of the farmers in Latin America, which are forced to emigrate.

They have no fear

When asked potential repercussions for having publicly declared his church as a refuge, its spiritual leader said that they are willing to take the risks and challenges that may arise.

"Do not anticipate that there will be a response repressive government, but it is possible," said the pastor.

However, for the Christian faith of the Reverend Dan Dale, who will be formally installed as the new pastor of the church on April 12, giving shelter to the most needy is not an option but an obligation, so that his congregation is ready to accept the consequences.

"An unjust law lasts until people of goodwill who said no," said the Reverend.

The church formally declare their solidarity towards immigrants with a celebration and worship on Saturday, April 12 to be attended by religious leaders, community groups and activists for the rights of immigrants.

Among those who will attend is the Rev. Walter Coleman, pastor of the United Methodist Church Adalberto, where Elvira Arellano stayed for almost a year in defiance of a deportation order.

Also, the Church of Christ of Unity Avenue Wellington participates in a vigil every Friday in front of the detention center in Broadview, Illinois, to support the families of prisoners and to demand a law allowing employees to visit the religious detainees.

According to the Reverend Dale, in McHenry County is "almost impossible" to obtain access to religious prisoners.

"They have committed no crime, not only have their papers in order or the right of religious or sacramental care," he said.

The only religious expected to reach the day where "we can all live in peace with a decent life from the tip of Chile to Canada without boundaries or barriers that separate people," he said. © La Raza

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The blunt position is that the "government of the United States. UU. Has not complied with its obligation to make laws just and humane, "said La Raza Reverend Dan Dale.

The blunt position is that "this church and others who are violating the law" have not complied with its obligations to keep out of state affairs and need to lose their tax-exempt status!