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Clergy representing POWER’s multi-faith coalition across southeastern and central Pennsylvania stand in opposition to President Trump’s visit to the state on Thursday. They believe that Trump’s efforts to prematurely reopen virus-stricken Pennsylvania counties devalues human life, especially those of essential workers, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions. It’s also an affront to Black Pennsylvanians, who are 2.5 times more likely to die if they contract COVID-19. Clergy are on the frontlines of the pandemic – attending the sick, consoling the grieving, and burying the dead – and they see first-hand how Pennsylvanians are affected.
“This premature reopening is not a life-giving choice,” says Rev. Alicia Julia-Stanley, pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Lebanon. “Opening without placing safety measures to prevent a resurgence of this virus, is not only irresponsible, it can be deadly: for the frontline warriors and their families, and for the vulnerable population.”
In Lehigh County, the site of President Trump’s visit Thursday, there have been over 3200 confirmed cases of the virus. And those are only the documented cases of those who were able to get tested.
“It’s clear that Donald Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania and Lehigh County in particular has nothing to do with his interest in the well-being of Pennsylvanians or residents of our county,” says Rev. Gregory Edwards of Resurrected Life Community Church in Allentown. “It’s a political stunt meant to rattle the chain of Governor Wolf, who in this moment has demonstrated courageous leadership by placing a higher value on human life than the politics of greed and division.”
Pennsylvania government has spoken on the COVID-19 response and a gradual, evidence-based reopening. In a federal democracy like the United States, there is a division of power between federal and state governments.
“Pennsylvanians elected our state government, and Trump’s visit here is an attempt to undermine our rights as voters. We have a strong history of democracy in this state and we won’t accept this overreach,” says Bishop Dwayne Royster, Interim Executive Director of POWER. “As Pennsylvanians and people of faith, we take care of one another. We’re a community. And we’re not willing to sacrifice our people for profit.”
POWER is an interfaith organization committed to implementing systemic change for the betterment of Pennsylvania. We represent populace from across the Greater Philadelphia area and Southeastern and Central parts of the state, transcending borders across race, faith, income level, and neighborhood. Learn more at www.powerinterfaith.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Emilie Haertsch, MFA
Director of Communications
