Buddhists can’t leave the moral stance to the leaders of monotheistic faiths. Rev. angel Kyodo williams is headed to Washington, D.C. to lift up the Buddhist moral voice in protest of the proposed healthcare reform.
Known for giving a Buddhist voice to all manner of social issues, Reverend angel was selected as a Senior Fellow (the first Buddhist) in a prestigious multi-faith fellowship with Auburn Theological Seminary. This group provides platforms for influential faith leaders who are committed to catalyzing and advancing multi-faith movements for justice.
(For more info read this Washington Post Article: “People are looking for a ‘Religious Left.’ This little-known network of clergy has been organizing it.“
In the wee hours of Tuesday, July 18th, Rev. angel flew out from CA to D.C. on a red-eye to participate in two distinct actions with her colleagues — multi-faith, multi-cultural moral voices and special Black Clergy Hill Day.
Rev. angel returned to the Bay Area after being released from her arrest with fellow black clergy.
“The Better Care Reconciliation Act, the health bill under consideration in the Senate, is malicious, immoral legislation that will create suffering, poverty and death.
We oppose this bill because we take seriously Scripture’s calls to love our neighbor as ourself, and to provide healing and justice for all God’s children — especially those who are marginalized and oppressed.
All of God’s children deserve health coverage to keep them healthy and to heal them when they are sick. In fact, Scripture demands that we ensure this.
That’s why the Senate health care repeal bill is immoral, irredeemable legislation. Slashing Medicaid and taking health insurance away from 22 million low-income Americans, people with disabilities, children and seniors — while lavishing tax cuts on insurance companies and the very wealthy — is a grave sin and a healthcare emergency.
Letting insurance companies impose lifetime limits that cut off your insurance as you face life-threatening disease is immoral. We will not stand for it.
Senators now must answer a moral question: who do they serve? Do they serve all God’s children, or do they serve only millionaires and powerful special interests? If they serve the people, they will reject this bill.”
Rev. angel is showing up on behalf of Buddhists who need to be in moral conversation and is bringing distinct prophetic wisdom that comes through teaching.
As a non-residential Buddhist teacher, Rev. angel doesn’t have the historically supported structure of Christian and Jewish faith institutions or large congregations to draw upon. She has, however, amassed an organic congregation of progressive, spirit-led people that can be turned to for support. This is a call to action for all the activists, Buddhists, yogis, intellectuals, spiritual practitioners, free-thinkers and all those with open hearts who want to stand in solidarity with an unwavering voice for equity.
We, as a community, intend to raise funds to supplement Rev. angel’s participation in this important and timely action.
Here’s what’s planned:
- A march to the Capital
- Join in solidarity with Black Clergy Voices, a coalition of African American pastors
- Black Clergy Voices will host a press conference with Rev. William Barber as the closing speaker
- March alongside Rev. Barber and fellow clergy to Senator Mitch McConnell’s office where we will formally voice our protest.
Our goal over the next 48 hours is to raise enough funds to cover her expenses:
refundable airfare (bay area to DC) +
release process +
ground transportation = $1992
The time, energy, and physical wear and tear of such urgent actions cannot really be calculated, but any contribution you wish to make would be most welcome.
Support Rev. angel’s action using Paypal.
Get off your cushion. Do it now.
