PCUSA leaders threaten
Bluegrass State boycott
The Layman , January 20, 2011
Reminding Kentucky legislators how much the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s presence has meant to the Bluegrass State thanks to its corporate headquarters being in Louisville since 1988, the denomination’s leadership has warned that if a state proposal on immigration enforcement passes, those benefits would be in jeopardy.
Parroting similar protests against an Arizona immigration law in 2010, PCUSA Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons and General Assembly Mission Council Executive Director Linda Valentine sent a letter to the Kentucky Legislature on Jan. 7, 2011, that encourages lawmakers to follow the denomination’s example in its treatment of illegal immigrants.
“We do not ask the immigration status of those with whom we worship or serve because we wish to live a community that sees past a person’s immigration status to see the face of God,” the letter states.
Similar to the controversial Arizona immigration law that led the PCUSA General Assembly to vote for a boycott, Kentucky’s Senate Bill 6 (SB 6) would expand Comment on this article on PLC’s Facebook page the state’s power to enforce federal immigration law. According to an article in the Louisville Courier-Journal, SB 6 includes provisions that authorize police to attempt to determine a person’s immigration status if he or she is stopped for another reason, such as a traffic violation and is suspected of being an “unauthorized alien.” It also bans communities from adopting ordinances to limit immigration enforcement, creates the offense of trespassing for those in the state without legal status and makes it a crime for anyone to assist an illegal immigrant in coming to or living in the state. Some media reports claim the Kentucky bill is stricter than the disputed Arizona law.
Calling the proposed legislation “counter to the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” the letter states that the immigration proposal would put congregations and the people they serve at risk. The letter warns that the new law could harm the work and worship of communities, as well as create an environment of fear.
If the PCUSA holds true to its threat of boycott, it could mean a major hit for the state’s economy. According to the letter, the PCUSA headquarters hosts more Related article
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than 100 meetings and brings thousands of guests to Louisville each year. The letter also cites the previous impact of Louisville hosting thousands of guests for the PCUSA General Assembly, the Presbyterian Women’s Gathering and various other gatherings.
“While it is a joy for us to share this city and state with Presbyterians from around the world, if SB 6 is adopted, we would no longer be able to host our national meetings in Kentucky,” the letter warns. “However, our commitment to justice, fairness and solidarity with those persecuted by unfair laws led our 2010 General Assembly to adopt a resolution that calls us to refrain from holding national meetings in states where laws exist that might subject our guests to harassment or intimidation.”
The letter urges an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance, and urges legislators to oppose the bill. The letter was posted to a PCUSA blog recently, and already is receiving feedback. While one reader praises the stand, another fears its sends a message that breaking the law is OK.