In this statement, CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton speaks on the urgency of now. She calls on the community to protect the sanctity of life beyond neatly phrased condolences following a tragedy on September 28 in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, which resulted in at least four fatalities and eight injuries.

CRS and our member congregation, Urban Village Church, Wicker Park, co-hosted a virtual gathering on October 23. This online meeting set out to educate our network on the battle to end pretextual traffic stops in Chicago and empower folks to mobilize because, as asserted before, when we fight, we win.

Marcellus Khaliifah Williams was slain, and the whole criminal injustice system is on trial. As people of faith and goodwill, let’s feel our anger, frustration, and zeal for justice. This is important. Then, we should alchemize this into action. All these systems of oppression are connected, and we stand together for justice.