Updated on April 9 with video from the Pilgrimage.
On April 6, state religious leaders and activists will remember Jesus Christ’s suffering and death and the suffering and death of immigrants coming to this country in an “Economic Justice Way of the Cross.” The North Carolina Council of Churches is a co-sponsor of the event which takes place from noon to 2 p.m. at the N.C. State Capitol.
Participants include NCCC Program Associate Chris Liu-Beers; the Rev. Curtis Gatewood of the NC NAACP; Rev. Mark Reamer, pastor of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church; Dani Martinez-Moore of the NC Justice Center; Katushka Olave of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham; and Justin Flores of the Farm Worker Organizing Committee.
The Good Friday commemoration of Jesus’ suffering and death will be linked with the need for justice, immigration reform, a change in US trade policies, and an end to US support for the war in Afghanistan and Colombia. Money needs to be spent on food and economic development instead of war, according to Gail Phares, director of Witness for Peace Southeast, the event’s primary organizer.
–Aleta Payne, Development and Communications
I’m deeply honored to be a part of this event and I hope that many friends and colleagues will join me as we gather to call for just, humane immigration and trade laws.