Faith leaders call on legislature to focus on needs of West Virginians

PRESS RELEASE

Charleston, WV – Faith leaders from across the state gathered to deliver a short religious observance and public witness in the West Virginia Capitol on Friday, March 6. Faith leaders shared remarks and prayers focused the negative impacts of ICE raids on citizen and immigrant communities across West Virginia. They witnessed to the ways relationships and communities
were damaged by the fear and uncertainty these raids has caused. Rev. Stacy Chrise-Tritt and her daughter, Betty, recounted their experience of a beloved family being forced to move out of the United States to Guatemala after experiencing deep fear and anxiety for their safety in their Westover community. The 8 year old said ‘This is not freedom or justice. Our country is failing and I miss my friend.’ Pastor STephen Lowe shared a statement written by Monsignor Paul Hudock shared his experiences serving Spanish-speaking immigrant communities in North Central West Virginia, and called on lawmakers to stop spreading lies and fear of these hard-working and honest communities.

Faith Leaders also shared prayers of lament and urged state lawmakers to focus on issues that help and impact West Virginians. Rev. Dawn Adamy led a prayer calling for responsibility to one another and a focus on justice and compassion. Dottie Sayre Burcham led a prayer in the Pagan tradition.

Rev. Shawn Weaver reflected on his time as a minister and as a teacher, and called on the legislature to fund public education, raise meager teacher salaries and to stop passing policies that rob money from the public school systems and funnel it towards private school options – often benefitting those with more means.

Rev. Cindy Briggs-Biondi shared a story of how our current systems make people ‘invisible’ and pile up barriers to affordable housing, recovery, employment and stability. Rev. Jenny Williams also highlighted the proliferation of Christian Nationalist rhetoric, which conflates Christianity and partisan political identity. She called upon lawmakers to pursue a more just and compassionate way which does not celebrate indifference nor pursue war. The group called upon the legislature to pass bills that would make real improvements to the lives of all West Virginians, rather than pursue the agendas of outside political and corporate interests.

Rev. Zac Morton remarked: “We gather today to call upon our legislature to focus on these issues that benefit the people and communities they serve. With one week left in this session, a great opportunity to help the people of West Virginia will either be seized, or it will be squandered. And we, and people of faith across this great state, are watching.”

Speakers at the event included: Rev. Dawn Adamy, Rev. Stacey Chrise-Tritt (Morgantown), Rev. Jenny Willams (Morgantown), Rev. Shawn Weaver (Charleston), Dottie Sayre Burcham, Monsignor Paul Hudock (Clarksburg), Rev. Cindy Briggs-Biondi (Charleston), and Rev. Zac Morton (Morgantown).

This event was organized by the WV Faith Leaders’ Network, an interfaith network of clergy in West Virginia who mobilize for justice in local communities and at the state level.