The War is on! Notice on Police abuse and shootings in America
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Greetings my Brothers of the Eastern Region,
I write you today with a heavy heart. Once again racism stands in America, first our own Brother Rodney Gillespie (Psi chapter 1987) and his family were allegedly harassed by a local police trooper, in Pennsylvania (article below). The trooper questioned him in his own community where he lived. He was guilty of “driving while black”.
On Saturday afternoon, violence showed up again under the veil of racism, when a white supremacist attacked innocent people shopping at a Walmart in in El Paso, Texas. The racist killed 20 people and injured countless others. Also, in almost the same shocking fashion, another mass shooting took place at a club in Dayton, Ohio. This assailant killed at least 9 people and injured dozens.
I, as your vice president of the Eastern Region, stand alongside with our brothers of the Midwestern & Southwestern regions. I have spoken to Brothers Tarrynce Robinson, Southwestern Regional Vice President and Brother Ronald Stovall, Midwestern Regional Vice President, and offered my support. As of now no brothers, that we know of, were directly affected.
As our General President, Dr. Everett Ward, announced at the 2019 General Convention, “WE ARE AT WAR!”. Brothers, if this type of violence and racism can happen in these cities, it can happen anywhere. I will be working with our Committee on Political and Civic Engagement to devise a plan of vigilance and awareness; we must be active in the process to enact change.
What can you do?
- Reach out to brothers and families in the areas to make sure they are well
- Contact local officials in government and let them know police engagement is a key topic of concern for your chapters.
- Let us know if anyone in the impacted areas are in need of assistance
- Contact your local and U.S. House Representatives and Senators and demand action be taken on Gun Violence and hateful rhetoric that threatens the pursuit of happiness.
- If you are able, consider donating blood to the red cross or provide resources to groups that will help assist the impacted areas
- Increase pressure in local elections, “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People”
- If you are a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), and are so moved, contact them and let them know that as a member you are concerned about our Gun Laws and the NRA take more of an active position of protecting life vs guns.
Brothers, we are in a conflict of conscience of our preamble of the constitution vs. the 2nd amendment. Psalm 106:3 says “Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.” Our time is now to do a righteous work brothers! Our chapters cannot be on the sidelines on these issues any longer. General President Ward declared war on racism and injustice during the 95th General Convention and we will not take backward steps.
Please keep brother Gillespie, his family, the citizens of El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio in your prayers as they regroup.
Fraternal
Lucien Metellus
28th Eastern Regional Vice President
