Call to Action: June 10th

Call to Action:  Attention Radicals!  Attention Peace Activists!  Attention to all who value acceptance, diversity, and religious freedom for ALL, not just Christians!  You are needed to come to the defense of our communities.

The known hate-group ACT for America is holding a nationwide day of action on June 10^th.  Here in Southern California they will be protesting in San Bernardino and Oceanside.  Along with other White Nationalists like the Proud Boys and other racists and NeoNazis, they will be out in force in our communities, preying on vulnerable, marginalized groups, in an attempt to spread fear and hatred, all in the name of defending us from the spectre of “Sharia Law.”  They are choosing, as their rallying point, the Memorial to the Victims of the December 2nd terrorist attack, an attempt to twist the sympathies of the people.  Such exploitation of this tragedy is an insult to the memory of those lost, and to the pain of their loved ones left behind.  

This is also a false threat.  Sharia is irrelevant to America, as the Supreme Court is still the law of the Land, and there is no sign of threat to this.  As such, this gathering represents nothing but a threat to inclusivity and diversity in our communities.  We will not tolerate it.  They will claim “free speech” as a defense for their hate, but their methods show no concern for the free speech of others.  This is an attempt to oppress the free religious expression of Non-Christians, to silence and target minorities, and it defies the values this nation was founded upon.

This land has always been home to a multitude of peoples, dating back before the Mayflower, when native tribes worshipped in a multitude of different ways, and had a panoply of different cultures.  When the Pilgrims arrived they were fleeing Religious persecution.  They came seeking freedom.  The Declaration of Independence was written and dedicated to the proposition that “All men are Created Equal.” The founders of this nation built it to break free of the Tyranny of monarchy, and throughout our history, we have sought to fulfill the premise of our society; freedom, equality, and the pursuit of happiness. 

For all our myths of American Exceptionalism, for all our assertions that this land is the greatest in the world, we have a dark history of stubborn oppression; but equally do we have a history of fighting against that oppression.  Every generation has had its struggle against oppression.  It was an American value to seek Abolition, and to bring an end to slavery.  It was an American value to give the vote to women.  It was an American value to seek an end to child labor, and to the horrific working conditions in factories and mines.  It was an American value to fight for civil rights in the 60s, and for Women’s liberation.  It was an American value to seek an end to discrimination against Gays and Trans people.  It is an American value to seek the freedom of Muslims to worship according to their first amendment rights, unhindered by a militia of ignorant bullies. 

We do not oppose the March against Sharia because of Islam or “want Sharia Law.”  We do not oppose them because we feel it is our “job” to protect Muslims.  We harbor no illusions that we speak for any group.  We ourselves are not a group or organization.  We are simply a gathering of concerned residents, who will not sit by while members of our communities are bullied.  We who gather on June 10^th do so because we feel called by personal moral duty, to stand up to hate.  History has seen what can happen when good people are complacent; and do not take action.  We represent no one but ourselves, but we will not stand by while our communities are threatened.  We are individuals, and we rally together for our own reasons, but we are united by the fellowship of our common purpose.

We hope you will join us.