Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity-Spokane brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Through this mission, we not only build homes but bridges across sometimes painful divides.
We celebrate the right to assemble and protest peacefully. We also celebrate our democracy and the peaceful transfer of power. As an organization that fights for equitable access to the American dream, the events that transpired this week made clear that this was not a peaceful protest but an insurrection.
Habitat for Humanity-Spokane condemns the terrorist attack that took place on our nation’s Capitol. The efforts to thwart one of the most sacred aspects of our democracy were shameful and completely unacceptable.
Habitat for Humanity is committed to its mission that has long been a beacon of hope for so many. We stand in solidarity with those that have denounced this terrorist attack and will continue to build the Beloved Community.
We will not tolerate hate, violence, racism, or bigotry. While our country mourns this attack, we will pray and continue to put our faith into action by fulfilling our vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
I wanted to also share a statement from Habitat for Humanity International’s CEO, Jonathan Reckford. I thought his words were incredibly moving, especially since our representatives are our friends and advocates. What a terrifying experience it must have been for them and their families.
Dear Habitat leaders,
In America, we celebrate what John Adams called “A government of laws and not of men.” We celebrate our rights to peaceably assemble and say what’s on our minds. We defend those rights, even when exercised by those we disagree with.
What we’ve seen in our nation’s capital today is not the exercise of those rights. What we’ve seen instead was violent, mob rule, targeted at the very beating heart of our democracy — the people elected to carry our voices and the sacred halls that house the people’s branch of our government.
My grandmother, Millicent Fenwick, served our nation in that building for eight years. Walter Cronkite once called her the “conscience of Congress” for always standing for her virtuous principles. She was fiercely committed to justice and improving conditions for others. And she loved our country.
She would be ashamed by what happened in the Capitol today.
I am ashamed, and I am sad. But I also need to be hopeful. And I draw on you, my Habitat family, for that hope.
Habitat for Humanity builds community around the world. We bring people together, crossing lines of race, class, nationality and religion. We share Dr. King’s vision of building a Beloved Community – a place that that doesn’t eliminate our differences, but celebrates them, allows for tension undergirded by love and leads to transformation.
Tonight, I am praying for our leaders to find the judgment and wisdom they need to reset our course and join that most important work. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a season for everything. Now is our time to heal.
Blessings,
Jonathan T.M. Reckford
I am sad and ashamed that these actions took place. However, it is the grace and love I see in Habitat’s work that gives me so much hope. We must focus on healing and a peaceful transfer of power.
In partnership,
Michelle Girardot, CEO
Habitat for Humanity-Spokane