Auburn Seminary Decries the Murder of Dallas Police Officers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2016
Contact: Ben Roussel ([email protected] or 212-255-2575)
Auburn Seminary Decries the Murder of Dallas Police Officers
Calls for the divisiveness between law enforcement and citizens to end
NEW YORK — Last night, a peaceful protest of the murders of African Americans by police was hijacked by individuals not aligned with the Black Lives Matter movement, resulting in the deaths of five Dallas police officers and injuries to others. Still reeling from the murders of Alton Sterling by Baton Rouge police officers and Philando Castile by a Falcon Heights, Minn. police officer, the murders of the Dallas police officers threaten to intensify fear and spread even greater unrest across the country.
“Guns and racism are the themes intertwined in these two days with such force that many may feel overwhelmed, hopeless,” said Auburn Seminary President the Rev. Dr. Katharine Rhodes Henderson. “Our commitment to justice and loving peace demands that we not retreat and hide away. Now is the time that we must address the heinous racism that will destroy us and demand legislation around guns that will protect us. We are praying today for the families of all those who have lost their lives. We must make sure they are not lost in vain. God is weeping with us and urging us to choose love over hate and life over death.”
Auburn Seminary Executive Vice President Rev. John Vaughn, echoed Dr. Rhodes’ sentiments and expressed his sorrow over the most recent shootings.
“I am heartbroken over the shooting of these police officers, who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve their community,” said Rev. Vaughn. “The divisiveness between law enforcement and citizens must stop. The fear and anger expressed through violence only begets more violence. As my faith teaches, only love can cast out fear. My prayer is that we, as a nation, transform our devastation into a revolution of love.”
###
Auburn Seminary identifies and strengthens leaders — from the pulpit to the public square — to build communities, bridge divides, pursue justice and heal the world.
