When neo-Nazis and white supremacists gathered Aug. 12 for a “Unite the Right” march, Christian leaders in Charlottesville were prepared.
Several organizations, such as the Charlottesville Clergy Collective, Congregate Charlottesville, Christian Peacemaker Teams and Deep Abiding Love Project, had been organizing clergy and others to offer safe spaces and training them to take nonviolent action and provide public witness.
Three people involved in these activities share their thoughts on what the experience on the ground was like and what Christian leaders can do now.
'Creating a better world for all of God’s people'
Sarah Thompson: Jesus is calling us to pick up our cross
Christian leaders seeking to oppose white supremacy can take actions from public statements to non-violent direct action, says the executive director of Christian Peacemaker Teams, who trained clergy in Charlottesville.
Phil Woodson: Who is Jesus?
Hundreds of people, like Peter, left the safety of the ship and threw themselves into the jaws of death to counter a rally of neo-Nazis and white supremacists, writes a pastor at First United Methodist Church Charlottesville.
Elaine Ellis Thomas: With love from C'ville
A participant in the clergy response to the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally on Aug. 12 shares her story.
