In just a few short weeks. the federal government has placed all employees involved in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) programs on paid administrative leave and shuttered programs. For example, the Department of Education removed 200 pages on its website that housed DEI resources. The Department of Defense has declared "Identity Months" (e.g., Black History Month, Women's History Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month) "dead."
Unfortunately, the private sector is following suit: General Motors, Pepsi, Amazon, and Target are some of the retailers that have removed all references to DEI and abruptly suspended programs that were previously implemented to improve diversity in their workforce.
It's now more important than ever to support local efforts to honor, educate and celebrate Black History!! Come walk with us on Monday to show that Black History is important! Black History IS American History! Send us an email at interfaithcoaltion4blacklives@gmail.com to let us know you're marching!
At our recent IC4BL planning committee meeting, we discussed the mass deportations of immigrants who are our members of our communities and just want what we all want: to live our lives in safety and peace. We cannot be silent. We recognize that the current administration is particularly targeting Brown and Black immigrants. We cannot be silent. We will get the word out about other rallies and activities to support immigrants. At our rallies, we will also declare that the lives of immigrants matter!
On January 27, 2025, several Yearly and Monthly Meetings of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), filed a suit in federal District Court challenging the Trump administration's abrupt change in policy that permitted ICE agents to enter places of worship (the "sensitive locations" policy that also includes schools and hospitals). On February 7, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Sikh Temple Sacramento and the New York Yearly Meeting joined the plaintiffs in the original suit. Counsel for the faith groups is Democracy Forward. Click below to read more about the lawsuit and the work of Democracy Forward.
Although IC4BL is not hosting rallies during January and February, we want to support our great partners that really need your help during these cold months! Our Community Feeding Others is a small food pantry in Turner Station that has a huge impact on the community!
Please make checks payable to St. Matthew UMC, 101 Avon Beach Road, Turner Station, MD 21222. In the memo line don't forget to write: Our Community Feeding Others.