Dear Friends,

On Sunday, May 17th (58th anniversary of the Catonsville Nine action), thousands of people attended Rededicate 250 on the National Mall to mark the 250^th anniversary of the U.S. The prayer rally was organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership the White House launched in December.

See: https://www.ncronline.org/news/2-catholic-bishops-join-dc-prayer-festival-celebrating-nations-christian-roots.

As a moral counterpoint to this Christian nationalist sponsored event, faith leaders from across the U.S. held a day-long virtual event called Redirect 250 (https://redirect250.org). I commend to you the following link of “Redirect 250” which features my friend Shane Claiborne, co-founder of Red-Letter Christians and noted Christian activist and author.

In the early afternoon, I vigiled for about 45 minutes on Jefferson Dr., and 12th St. SW which borders the Mall, and directly across from the press gate that was set up on the Mall and near the main stage. I held two signs: “Follow Jesus’ Way of Nonviolence” and a quote from Pope Francis, “War is a Sacrilege.” (see attached photo) Despite a heavy police presence and some National Guard patrolling the area, and as many people walked by, most of whom were there to attend the event, I was never approached by police, nor was I asked to leave my vigil spot. During the time I was there, a number of people affirmed my signs and several voiced their support. At one point I could hear from the stage the song “Let My People Go.” I kept wondering if people could apply this song of faith-filled resistance to Egypt’s Pharoah to today’s current Pharoah(s).

I view this small witness as an act of intercessory prayer, as a call to all people of faith and conscience to confront and repent for the wrongs of 250 years of the U.S., a nation whose origins are rooted in genocide and slavery. As I vigiled, I prayed for the conversion of my own heart to be a more faithful follower of Jesus, and that the rulers and all who ascribe to Christian Nationalism will have a change of heart and follow the nonviolent Jesus who commands us to love one another–including our enemies, to renounce idolatry, killing, oppression and empire, to be merciful, to aid the poor, to set captives free, to feed the hungry, to welcome the immigrant, to forever put away the sword (from guns to drones to nuclear weapons), and to establish God’s reign of love, justice and peace. Deo Gratias for all who are working tirelessly to make the reign of God and the Beloved community a reality.

In the peace and hope of the Risen Jesus,

Art