An open letter from faith leaders to the administration of Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.
June 26, 2024
President Espy, Provost Clabo, and the WSU Board of Governors,
We, the undersigned faith leaders from varied traditions and denominations, write to express our profound concern and condemnation regarding the police brutality against students and community members that occurred on May 30. A number of us have been present to the Wayne State encampment and others similar. They strike us as embodying beloved community, listening and learning gatherings of conscience. Indeed we are taught by them.
We understand the demands of the students – the divestment from war and weapons manufacturing – to be a good and just pursuit for which you should take pride as university leadership. Instead, you authorized the deployment of riot police and the use of brutal force against members of our communities, including the violent removal of a woman’s hijab, a grave violation within the Islamic faith.
We write to express our deep disappointment in the decisions that you made as leaders and to ask the following of you:
- Take meaningful steps toward reconciliation with the students and community members you have harmed, beginning with formal apologies to each.
- Commit to meeting with members of Students for Justice in Palestine to truly listen to their concerns and hopes for a more just and equitable world.
- Give a promise to your university community and communities across Southeast Michigan that you will refrain from militarized use of force against students in the future.
Violence against students and community members who peacefully advocate for their beliefs runs counter to each of our faith traditions, and to the basic tenets of human dignity. As an interfaith group of leaders we urge the university to uphold the principles of justice, equity, and respect for all individuals.
In Peace and in Solidarity with the Students,
Ben Adams, Pastor, All.together Campus Ministry (Lutheran/Episcopal)
Deb Agne, Otsego United Methodist Church
Nadir Ahmad, Director, Al-Ikhlas Academy
Lindsay Airey, Co-Director, LMFT/Chaplain, Kardia Kaiomené
Tommy Airey, Editor-Publisher, Radicaldiscipleship.net
Alana Alpert, Rabbi, Congregation T’chiyah
Dean Aponte-Safe, pastor, Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Ann Arbor
Lisa Batten, Associate Director, United Methodist Church
Barbara Beesley, IHM, Sister, IHM Sisters Justice, Peace & Sustainability Office
Rev. Roslyn Bouier, Pastor Trinity St. Mark’s, UCC & Director Brightmoor Connection
Rev. Sari Brown, Community Minister, Michigan Conference United Methodist Church
Rev. Weatherly Burkhead Verhelst, Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Ferndale
Cass Charrette, President, Cities of Peace, Detroit/Interfaith
Marilyn Churchill, Poet and Writer, Ann Arbor Friends Meeting
Randie Clawson, Task Force Promoting Justice in the Middle East , Michigan Conference UMC
Patricia Coffman, Coordinator: Neighbors ESL Ministry, United Women in Faith UMC
George Covintree, Jr., Retired pastor, United Methodist Church
Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, Islaimc House of Wisdom
Imam Steve M Elturk, Islamic Organization of North America
Ann Emerson, Retired Clergy, Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church
George Evalt, SE MI Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Rev. Carl Gladstone, Director, Motor City Wesley Foundation
Rev. Denise Griebler, Retired Clergy, Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. April Gutierrez, Pastor, Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church
Rev Christina Hallam, Pastor, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Troy MI
rev. deb hansen, interfaith chaplain
Amelia Hefferlin, Vestry – Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Ann Arbor
Rod Hill, Lay Delegate to Michigan Annual Conference, Marble UMC, Milan MI
Anne Hillman, Ph.D., Deaconess, United Methodist Church
Sr. Mary Ellen Howard, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Rev. Tim Kobler, Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan
Samantha Koki, Paganism
Bill Kwan Ung Boyle, Dharma Teacher, Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple
Leeann Leece, Michigan Conference United Methodist Church
Fr. Thomas Lumpkin, Diocesan Catholic Priest, Co-Manager. Manna Community Meal
Peggy McMichael, Native American Liaison, Greensky Hill Indian United Methodist Church (Wayne State University JD 1985)
Rev. Doug McMunn, Oak Grove and First United Methodist Churches, Howell, MI
Alaa Mokhtar, Graduate Teacher Assistant, Muslim
Edward Morin, Former Assistant Professor, Society of Friends
Rev. Louise Ott, retired pastor, United Church of Christ
Jesse Owen, Peacekeeper, Detroit Catholic Worker
Rev. Rich Peacock, Retired pastor, Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church
Rev. Paul Perez, Lead Minister, Central United Methodist Church
James W. Perkinson, Professor of Social Ethics and Theology, Ecumenical Theological Seminary
Mary Anne Perrone, State Council, Pax Christi Michigan
Rev. Alex Plum, Deacon for Health Partnerships, Michigan Conference UMC
Robert Podzikowski, Chairperson State Council, Pax Christi Michigan
Rev. Jeanne M. Randels, Retired Pastor, Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church
Kimberly Redigan, State Council , Pax Christi Michigan
Joe Reilly, Dharma Teacher, Plum Village International Mindfulness Community
Jon Reynolds, Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Brighton & Whitmore Lake
Rev Ed Rowe, Pastor Emeritus, Central United Methodist Church Detroit
Sierra Rusnell, Student, WSU student
Imam Imran Salha, Islamic Center of Detroit
Marina Salman, Human and Disability Rights, Saint Mary Orthodox Church of Palos Heights
Rev. Robert Schoenhals, Retired Clergy, United Methodist Church
Rev. Philip M Seymour, Retired Pastor, Michigan Conference United Methodist
Xena Shaban-Schelter, Friends of Sabeel North America
Dr. Yasmin Snounu, Faculty, Palestinian Academic
Rev. Canon Ron Spann, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Rev. Brian Steele, Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church
Fr. Joseph Summers, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Rev Fred Thelen, Priest/ State Council, Pax Christi Michigan
Rev. Suzanne Todd, Pastor, United Methodist Church
Patricia Valaer, State Council, Pax Christi Michigan
Rev. Ron Victor, Pastor, St. Isidore RC Church, Macomb, Michigan
Imam Dawud Walid, Council on American-Islamic Relations (Michigan)
Vickie Wellman, ECI
Mark Wenzel, Philosopher, Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine
Patricia S Wilkins, Michigan Conference United Methodist
Rev. Bill Wylie-Kellermann, Retired Clergy, Michigan Conference UMC
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