Action Alert - Sign this open letter in solidarity with our Muslim neighbors.
The letter below was written by Rev. Brad Brookins, Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives, and the Farley Center for Peace, Justice and Sustainability, and is offered to Mt. Horeb and surrounding communities in hope of garnering signatures from people who support its sentiments. Once everyone who wishes to has had the opportunity to sign, this letter will be sent on to a variety of Muslim communities in Madison. We will be circulating the letter through any area civic organizations and churches that want to participate, as well as through web sites, Facebook pages and email connections.
If you would like to sign directly, please go here.
An open letter to our Muslim neighbors:
Dear Friends,
Recent weeks have brought more violence—in Paris and Beirut, in California and in the sky over Egypt. In a terribly misguided and reactionary response in this country, Muslim places of worship are being targeted for vandalism; hate crimes and threats of violence against American Muslims are becoming even more common. None of this reflects the best of the religious traditions that can guide us toward an open and inclusive society. All of this contradicts the highest American values of equality, fairness, generosity and the Constitutional protection of freedom of religion that are held by religious and secular people alike. Violence and hatred can never bring us to peace and friendship. In every setting they are to be deplored by women and men of good will and good sense.
We are writing this letter because we reject the hateful rhetoric now coming from some American politicians and religious leaders. Their expressions of fearfulness are putting great strain on Muslim communities. They do not speak for us. Even in times of crisis, and especially in times of crisis, we will not give into fear by turning our backs on our values or on you, our valued friends and neighbors.
Our thoughts toward you are of simple kindness and acceptance. We believe yours are the same toward us. We want you to know we stand with you in these anxious times and we will resist the efforts of those who would demean your faith or restrict your freedom.
We will hold you in our thoughts and prayers and ask you to do the same for us.
As-salamu alaykum. Shalom Aleichem. Peace be with you.
Action Alert - Sign this open letter in solidarity with our Muslim neighbors.
The letter below was written by Rev. Brad Brookins, Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives, and the Farley Center for Peace, Justice and Sustainability, and is offered to Mt. Horeb and surrounding communities in hope of garnering signatures from people who support its sentiments. Once everyone who wishes to has had the opportunity to sign, this letter will be sent on to a variety of Muslim communities in Madison. We will be circulating the letter through any area civic organizations and churches that want to participate, as well as through web sites, Facebook pages and email connections.
If you would like to sign directly, please go here.
An open letter to our Muslim neighbors:
Dear Friends,
Recent weeks have brought more violence—in Paris and Beirut, in California and in the sky over Egypt. In a terribly misguided and reactionary response in this country, Muslim places of worship are being targeted for vandalism; hate crimes and threats of violence against American Muslims are becoming even more common. None of this reflects the best of the religious traditions that can guide us toward an open and inclusive society. All of this contradicts the highest American values of equality, fairness, generosity and the Constitutional protection of freedom of religion that are held by religious and secular people alike. Violence and hatred can never bring us to peace and friendship. In every setting they are to be deplored by women and men of good will and good sense.
We are writing this letter because we reject the hateful rhetoric now coming from some American politicians and religious leaders. Their expressions of fearfulness are putting great strain on Muslim communities. They do not speak for us. Even in times of crisis, and especially in times of crisis, we will not give into fear by turning our backs on our values or on you, our valued friends and neighbors.
Our thoughts toward you are of simple kindness and acceptance. We believe yours are the same toward us. We want you to know we stand with you in these anxious times and we will resist the efforts of those who would demean your faith or restrict your freedom.
We will hold you in our thoughts and prayers and ask you to do the same for us.
As-salamu alaykum. Shalom Aleichem. Peace be with you.
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A dangerous proposal is being fast-tracked in the State Capitol. An intrusion of the legislature upon the judiciary, AB 161 would damage the critical checks and balances which protect citizens from the abuse of power by one branch of government.
Proponents of the bill complain that, currently, one judge elected by voters in one county is able to block implementation of a statute that was passed by the full legislature and signed by the Governor. They cite the injunctions on voter ID and parts of the collective bargaining law as examples.
Yet that is why we have higher courts. If the state believes a judge has incorrectly blocked a law as unconstitutional, it may appeal the ruling and seek to reverse a preliminary injunction. In the case of voter ID, the state sought a stay of the injunctions from two circuit court judges, two appeals court panels and the state Supreme Court. A total of 15 judges and justices—not just one—declined to stay the injunctions. Thus a process already exists to appeal a preliminary injunction. It is not an easy process, nor should it be. Judges have to be able to block laws they deem to be in violation of the constitution.
This bill could allow the legislature to pass unconstitutional laws without consequences. The Wisconsin Legislative Council, the legislature’s independent nonpartisan legal research service, has concluded that the proposed law may very well violate the state constitution
Contact your state legislators and urge them to reject AB161 and its companion bill SB154. Click here to find your elected official’s contact info
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