"If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." - Luke 19:40

BEARING WITNESS AND BREAKING THE SILENCE

Beloved,

"I tell you," he replied, "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:40

God is watching and so is the world! Michael Brown's parents and a delegation have traveled to Geneva to testify before the United Nations Committee on Torture. As others decide when it's politically and strategically correct for the Grand Jury to announce their decision about the murderer of your son, it takes a mighty faith and courage to go forth to tell your story, pushing through the psychological warfare that has been used on you and the community.

It's that same faith and courage which have the people of the community refusing to bow down, with youth leaders in the foreground of a movement. This nation's soul continues to be exposed through the events in Ferguson, Missouri and the message to people of faith and goodwill is "If you remain silent, the rocks will cry out."

The Grand Jury has spoken and the people have readied themselves. America's triplets of racism, materialism and militarism have been so perfectly borne and manifested in the small town of Ferguson, Missouri. Another black male youth left dead on the streets, killed by the hands of a police officer. Behold, a community of unemployed, poor, hungry and vulnerable people, surviving the external and internal forces associated with multigenerational impoverishment and neglect. And finally, to add insult to injury, excess military weapons from the Pentagon's war arsenal is being distributed to municipalities and universities across the nation to keep the peace among "these people."

But God! No weapon formed against us shall prosper! So while the Ferguson police display and intimidate with their new stockpile of weaponry, the people create church safe houses and sanctuary hot spots, stockpiling first aid supplies, water and food, asking for chaplains, medics and crisis managers to stand duty.

Where do we imagine God is and where do we imagine Jesus would be? And, most importantly, where are we? "We who believe in justice will not rest until it comes."

PLEASE READ THE SDPC RESPONSE AND COMMUNITY REQUESTS BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY.

Dr. Iva E. Carruthers, General Secretary

Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc.

SAMUEL DEWITT PROCTOR CONFERENCE RESPONSE TO THE REFUSAL TO PROSECUTE DARREN WILSON FOR KILLING MICHAEL BROWN, JR.

"They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace. They acted shamefully, they committed abomination; yet they were not ashamed, they did not know how to blush."- Jeremiah 6:14-15 (New Revised Standard Version)

The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, a network of progressive faith leaders and congregations serving African-American communities in the United States, joins the family, friends, and neighbors of Michael Brown, Jr. and other people of conscience and moral insight in Ferguson and St. Louis County, Missouri in condemning the decision by a grand jury, led by St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch, to not bring criminal charges against Darren Wilson for killing Michael Brown, Jr., an unarmed black teenager, on August 9, 2014. The decision to not prosecute Darren Wilson for killing Michael Brown, Jr. is yet another example of the way the people who control the machinery of justice condone extra-judicial executions of persons of color. As people of faith, we are outraged that Darren Wilson will not face criminal charges and trial before an impartial tribunal after shooting an unarmed teenager to death.

READ FULL STATEMENT

In the name of justice we urge all people who denounce this cruel result to join the community in an economic boycott on Black Friday in St. Louis County, Missouri and in this nation. This is but a new beginning. We must and will continue the legacy of righteous struggle against those forces which uphold the economies and political systems that allow police to slaughter unarmed people like Michael Brown, Jr. with impunity.

Petitioning The American People

This petition will be delivered to:

The American People

Prophetic Order

Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference

United States

Whereas August 9, 2014 Michael Brown, an unarmed 18 year old teenager with dreams of going to college, was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson.

And whereas, the bullet riddled body of Michael Brown was left uncovered in the street in Ferguson for over 4 hours, adding dehumanization to his death.

And whereas the parents of "Mike Mike" now live with the gaping hole of heartbreaking grief that no parent should have to endure: the death of their child.

And whereas the law enforcement officials in Ferguson have sought to place Michael Brown on trial for his own murder by assassinating his character, leaking video with no context, as if to justify his death.

SIGN PETITION

Vision+Faith+Action

SDPC TRAVELS TO FERGUSON TO PARTICIPATE IN A TEACH-IN AND PREACH-IN FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference partners with SpiritHouse Project, Christ the King United Church of Christ and Eden Theological Seminary to host a Teach-In, Eat-In, and Preach-In for Social Justice in Ferguson, MO.

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The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference (SDPC) is pleased to release its latest critical report, Bearing Witness: A Nation in Chains, a 72 page summary of the findings from nine statewide Justice Commission Hearings convened by SDPC on the issue of mass incarceration. For many months, SDPC listened to the startling stories and experiences of dozens of testifiers who paint a very poignant picture of the negative impacts stemming from the issue of mass incarceration found in America's criminal justice system. Bearing Witness: A Nation in Chains is a groundbreaking report that speaks for itself and will speak to your heart. Learn More and Download Report

BEARING WITNESS: JUSTICE COMMISSIONS

BEARING WITNESS REPORT: Georgia Hearings (Clip)

BEARING WITNESS REPORT: Illinois Hearings (Clip)

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