Public Witness

Public Witness – November Update

Allison Tanner

October 26, 2022

During November the Sanctuary Working Group (SWG) will highlight immigrant Californians seeking pardons from Governor Newsom in order to stay with, or return to, their communities and families. We will share their stories and invite you to take action on their behalf. Each of these individuals was unjustly detained by ICE after completing their jail or prison sentence. While the SWG laments the failure of the California Senate to pass the VISION Act, legislation to end such unfair ICE transfers, we continue to advocate for those seeking healing from these harms and prevent, or undo, their deportation from their homes, families, and communities.

During November’s Public Witness Forum, Nov. 6 at 11:45 a.m., we will hear from Sithy Bin, whom I met on my recent Pilgrimage to End Detention. Sithy is a father, a community leader, and a person of deep faith. He will share his testimony and ways we can help prevent his deportation. You can read more about Sithy’s situation at bit.ly/sithytoolkit.

November’s Public Witness Bible Study, November 1 and 2, will explore the work and witness for a World Without Walls, as we join with this international movement for intersectional justice, freedom, and equality for all people.

Between Dixie and Zion: Southern Baptists and Palestine Before Israel, November 3 at 4 p.m. This public webinar will feature Dr. Walker Robins discussing his book of the same name and Rev. Dr. Allison Tanner providing a pastoral response and discussion. This webinar is part of the series Making Baptist History Public History. Contact Pastor Tanner for registration info.

Crisis in the Holy Land: What We Can Do, Monday, November 14, 5:30 p.m. at Lakeshore. Rev. Dr. Don Wagner, longtime advocate of Palestinian rights and scholar of Palestinian Liberation theology and the evils of Christian Zionism will share reflections from his recent trip to Palestine, insights from his new book Glory to God in the Lowest: Journeys to an Unholy Land, and ideas for how we can respond to the crises our Palestinian kindred are enduring.