Rev. Wallis Says Churches 'Will Not Comply' With New Arizona Law

[babylonsister]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2010
4:58 PM

CONTACT: Sojourners
Sheldon Good at [e-mail] / 202.745.4625, or
Burns Strider at [e-mail] / 202.215.2490


Rev. Wallis Says Churches 'Will Not Comply' With New Arizona Law


WASHINGTON - April 23 - In response to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signing Senate Bill 1070, Rev. Jim Wallis - a progressive evangelical leader, author of Rediscovering Values and president of Sojourners (the largest network of progressive Christians in the United States) - called the new law in Arizona a "social sin." Rev. Wallis also said in a statement that the "radical new measure, which crosses many moral and legal lines, is a clear demonstration of the fundamental mistake of separating enforcement from comprehensive immigration reform."

On Tuesday, Rev. Wallis - along with other national and local faith and civil rights leaders - delivered more than 10,000 petitions in Phoenix to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, calling on her to veto SB 1070.

Full text of Rev. Wallis' statement below:

The law signed today by Arizona Gov. Brewer is a social and racial sin, and should be denounced as such by people of faith and conscience across the nation. It is not just about Arizona, but about all of us, and about what kind of country we want to be. It is not only mean-spirited - it will be ineffective and will only serve to further divide communities in Arizona, making everyone more fearful and less safe. This radical new measure, which crosses many moral and legal lines, is a clear demonstration of the fundamental mistake of separating enforcement from comprehensive immigration reform. Enforcement without reform of the system is merely cruel. Enforcement without compassion is immoral. Enforcement that breaks up families is unacceptable. This law will make it illegal to love your neighbor in Arizona, and will force us to disobey Jesus and his gospel. We will not comply.

###

Jim Wallis is the founder and president of Sojourners, the largest network of progressive Christians in the United States focused on the biblical call to social justice. Wallis is also author of the New York Times bestsellers God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It and The Great Awakening: Seven Ways To Change The World, Reviving Faith & Politics. His latest book is Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street.

Sojourners' mission is to articulate the biblical call to social justice, inspiring hope and building a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world. Visit www.sojo.net, and www.GodsPolitics.com.