Loading ...US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation : WATCH LIVE: Historic United Church of Christ vote on divestment, boycott, and more!
I write you from the plenary floor of the United Church of Christ (UCC) 2015 General Synod in Cleveland, where the US Campaign has been on the ground supporting and lifting up member organization UCC Palestine Israel Network, which is leading a historic campaign calling on the church to divest from occupation, boycott settlement products, support church advocacy against unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel, and more.
The FINAL VOTE could happen as early as this afternoon or evening! Watch the livestream here!
Follow US Campaign on Twitter and Facebook to get notified when the debate is beginning (we cannot be sure of exact timing; deliberations could also start as late as tomorrow morning).
You can also follow @uccpin and @cskpickles for live tweets from those of us on the ground. Tweet your support using#OurKairosMoment. Click here for graphics and sample tweets.
Yesterday, organizers cried joyfully together as delegates passed the resolution unanimously out of committee! On the plenary floor, the vote will need a 2/3 majority to pass.
This past week has been unlike any I can remember, with multiple historic Supreme Court resolutions including the extension of marriage rights for people from the LGBTQ community. At the same time, we know we are as far as ever from real justice in this country, a fact of which I was reminded by attending a vigil for Tamir Rice, the unarmed 12-year-old African American killed by Cleveland police last November. Tamir would have turned 13 last Thursday.
I have been humbled by the UCC commitment to social justice movements including fossil fuels divestment, Black Lives Matter, ending the New Jim Crow, LGBTQ rights, boycotting racist Native American sports mascots, and much more. You can get a sense of the church by reading this year’s resolution texts here. (And if you’re wondering, the resolution naming Israel’s practices as Apartheid passed out of committee by more than 80%, with a moving amendment also acknowledging the role of Americans as occupiers of indigenous lands; final vote likely tomorrow).
I hope you’ll join me in watching LIVE as the the UCC votes today or tomorrow.
In gratitude to all who have made this moment happen, including through your support of the US Campaign. Here’s to many more like it…
Source: www.endtheoccupation.org