NEW YORK, NY — Faith for Black Lives, a collective of faith leaders and activists, has announced plans for a week-long “Pilgrimage for Peace.” The 150-mile journey from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. is set to commence on Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024, and will conclude on February 21.
The pilgrimage is a response to the International Court of Justice’s report on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. It aims to urge President Joe Biden and Congress to cease weapons funding to Israel and increase humanitarian aid to Palestine. This comes amid the escalating violence in Gaza, which has already claimed over 25,000 lives, marking it as the deadliest conflict of the 21st century.
The group’s chair, Rev. Stephen A. Green, expressed their collective stance against violence, stating, “As we continue to mourn the loss of innocent Israeli lives on October 7, we firmly believe that responding to violence with more violence is not the solution. We believe it is either nonviolence or nonexistence.”
Echoing the vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Green added, “Gaza is at the center of a global crisis that will determine the future of human civilization. We embark on this pilgrimage inspired by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of a beloved community, a world without war, poverty, and racism.”
The pilgrimage, starting at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, often referred to as the birthplace of democracy, and ending at the White House, is an emblematic journey reflecting the nation’s democratic ideals and its potential role in bringing peace to a volatile region.
Numerous organizations have partnered with Faith for Black Lives for this initiative, including the National Council of Churches of Christ USA, Rabbis for Ceasefire, Hindus for Human Rights, The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Black Church Center for Justice and Equality, Kairos Center, Freedom Church of the Poor, Black Church PAC, LiveFREE, Progressive National Baptist Convention, and Until Freedom.
The “Pilgrimage for Peace” underscores the complexity of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the diverse perspectives within the U.S. It represents a call for non-violence and increased humanitarian aid, reflecting one facet of the ongoing debate surrounding the conflict. As the situation continues to evolve, so too will the conversations and initiatives aimed at resolving it.
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