T’ruah Statement on The Movement for Black Lives Platform

August 3, 2016 

Earlier this week, a coalition of more than 60 organizations associated with the Black Lives Matter Movement released a platform entitled A Vision for Black Lives: Policy Demands for Black Power, Freedom, and Justice.  The core demands embrace goals that we share concerning economic justice, mass incarceration and law enforcement, climate change, education, and the ongoing legacy of slavery. We applaud the leaders of Black Lives Matter for insisting that the United States meet its human rights obligations, and for concretizing these into specific policy recommendations. We stand with these leaders in insisting that every human being—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or presentation, or abilities—be treated as an equal creation in the image of God, and in accordance with international human rights principles.

While we agree with many of the policy recommendations, we are extremely dismayed at the decision to refer to the Israeli occupation as genocide. We are committed to ending the occupation, which leads to daily human rights violations against Palestinians, and also compromises the safety of Israelis. Our work aims to build a just and secure future for both Israelis and Palestinians, both of whom deserve the same human rights protections as all people.

Read more: T’ruah Statement on The Movement for Black Lives Platform

Standing Between the Dead and the Living

T'ruah's statement on the shootings in Dallas and the killings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and Michael Schumacher

“My entire being trembles, ETERNAL—how long?...Weary am I with groaning and weeping, nightly my pillow is soaked with tears.” (Psalm 6:4,7)

Our hearts break for the blood that our country has seen shed this week.

We mourn the deaths of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, LA; Philando Castile in St. Paul, MN; and Michael Schumacher in Madison, WI, three men murdered by police officers. We mourn equally the five police officers murdered in Dallas, TX. We pray that the five police officers and one civilian injured in Dallas recover speedily, and that the families of all the dead and wounded receive the support of loving friends, family, colleagues, and strangers.

Read more: Standing Between the Dead and the Living