IONA in the News
‘We’re living in a time of dark ages:’ Faith leaders condemn immigration enforcement
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Faith leaders from across Michigan gathered on the steps of the state Capitol on Tuesday, united in opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts nationwide.
Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Pagan leaders issued a joint statement to demand safety and protection for immigrants as enforcement tensions grow throughout the state.
“Our communities are living in fear. Fear of being separated from their loved ones, fear of persecution, fear of simply existing in their own neighborhoods and community spaces,” said Simon Perazza, Regional Director for Mi Poder. “But what’s also happening across Michigan is resistance. Faith leaders are showing up, local leaders are speaking out. Residents and communities are organizing to protect one another, and together we are demanding a different future.”
Rev. Karen Fitz, pastor of North Kent Presbyterian Church in Rockford, Mich. and the founder of West Michigan Clergy Action, emphasized the importance of having religious leaders across different faiths and denominations making the same demands — adding that across faith traditions, these leaders are speaking “with one voice.”
The group is calling on lawmakers to support legislation, Senate Bills 508-510, that would close detention centers in the state, require ICE agents to be unmasked, restrict local law enforcement agencies from assisting ICE, and designate schools, churches, and hospitals as sanctuary spaces.
“Our law needs to reflect our values. And when our government enacts policies or approaches that actually disregard the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution… we need an organized moral voice to say, remember who we are, because this is not who we are,” said Ethan Bair, rabbi at Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor.
Imam Steve Mustapha Elturk immigrated to the United States in 1976. 50 years later, he said he no longer recognizes the country he chose to call home.
“It’s like, where am I? Is this the America I came to know? No, it’s not,” Elturk said. “We were welcomed, it was great; America was wonderful, and now we’re living in a time of dark ages. The dignity of human beings is being stripped away from us.”
He says he does not want what happened in Minnesota to happen in Michigan.
“We will stand in solidarity with everyone to make sure this does not happen here, even at the cost of our lives,” Elturk said.
Not everyone agrees on the demands from the multi-faith leaders.
State Sen. Jim Runestad, the chair of Michigan’s Republican Party, said the clergy members are overlooking the needs of Americans.
“They’re not looking at what’s happening here to the working-class people who are competing with… tens of millions of people, who they shouldn’t be competing with,” Runestad said. “The average young person today is almost 40 years old [before they] buy their first home. … If you took in 40 million people [immigrants] in four years, where are they living? They’re crushing the working class.”
He’s calling the action during Tuesday’s presentation, “virtue signaling.”
“I don’t believe they are compassionate,” Runestad said. “I don’t believe they legitimately have concern about impoverished Americans.”
He said the solution is a debate. He is asking Democratic and religious leaders to join in on that conversation.
The faith leaders say Tuesday’s demonstration is only the start. They plan to continue collaborating and building a broader movement across Michigan.
Leaders at the event said people do not have to be part of the clergy to make their voice heard and encouraged people to participate in demonstrations in Michigan.