VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 3/29/18)—On April 4, American Baptists from across the country will join our faith partners on the Mall in Washington, D.C., for the Unite to End Racism Rally. April 4 marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In his book, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Dr. King writes, “Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.” Racism stands against love. God’s love for all humanity, Jesus’ love for his Church and our love for each other. God’s people must heed this call to action to once again say no to racism. The Rally will launch the Truth and Racial Justice Initiative – an ecumenical effort to address racism and promote the healing of communities and our nation.
American Baptists have pledged to stand with and those who experience discrimination and prejudice, as we did in the 1960’s, to bring institutional changes in our country. ABCUSA has purchased a Tent on the Mall and we encourage all ABCUSA participants to visit us. Tents will be positioned on Madison Drive on the Mall between 12th and 14th Streets. Look for the ABCUSA banner. We also encourage you to let us know if you will be at the rally by going to our Facebook page and registering on the ACT NOW event page.
The rally will begin at 8:00 am with an Interfaith Service. Throughout the day you will hear from speakers such as Dr. Jim Wallis, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Dr. Frederick Haynes and Dr. Jennifer Harvey. Entertainers like Yolanda Adams, Danny Glover and Marvin Sapp will also lend their talent and support to this historical event. American Baptist Churches General Secretary Dr. Lee B. Spitzer will also be participating in the program.
Logistics:
A bus will be leaving from the Mission Center in Valley Forge. If you are in the New Jersey or Pennsylvania area there is still room on the bus. Please contact Tina Turner at tina.turner@abc-usa.org.
If there is a bus leaving from your region or specific churches please register your bus with the NCC at www.rally2endracism.org/group-registration. Buses may drop off and pick up passengers on Independence Avenue between 7th – 14th Streets, SW. For those with disabilities, the ADA drop off location will be at 12th and Jefferson Street, SW. Buses may park at RFK Stadium or one of the church locations listed below. Buses choosing to park at RFK stadium are advised to go to the website www.goDCgo.com to pay beforehand. The Transportation committee recommends parking at one of the churches below and making a donation.
For those using public transportation – the closest Metro Station is the Smithsonian Metro Station. For more information on travel, please click here www.rally2endracism.org/transport. There will be limited seating for Seniors and those with special needs. We are also advising people to bring lawn chairs if they prefer to sit throughout the day. Food is permitted on the Mall.
For those arriving early in Washington, you are invited to participate in a Silent Prayer Walk. We will be gathering across the street from the MLK Memorial at the Polo Field at 7:00am. There will be a few remarks followed by a silent march to the Mall.
Though not required, ordained clergy are asked to wear clergy attire.
For more information about the Rally or to register please visit the website, www.rally2endracism.org. If you want to know what other ABCUSA churches are doing or to get connected with other groups in your area, please contact your regional office. If you have questions, please contact Associate General Secretary, Rev. Marsha Scipio at marsha.scipio@abc-usa.org.
Churches offering Bus Parking:
1. Georgia Avenue Baptist Church
12525 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20906
301-946-1331
2. Silver Spring Assembly Church
12805 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20906
301-933-2612
3. Glenmont United Methodist Church
12901 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20906
301-946-5578
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.