Clergy members gather in DC to pray and protest federal law enforcement surge

Clergy locality members and others gathered in Downtown D C on Thursday Sept to protest the federal law enforcement surge in D C WTOP Mike Murillo Clergy society members and others gathered in Downtown D C on Thursday Sept to protest the federal law enforcement surge in D C WTOP Mike Murillo On Thursday members of D C s faith population gathered on Freedom Plaza just moves from the White House and the Wilson Building to both pray and protest the federal law enforcement surge in the nation s capital The gathering comes amid a growing national debate over federal intervention in local policing in D C We ve gathered together in the current era God to come against statute and policies that would impose itself on the rights of the citizens of the District of Columbia noted the Rev Keith William Byrd Sr pastor of the historic Zion Baptist Church in Northwest D C One by one faith leaders stepped up to the microphone offering prayers for the city and its leaders during what they called an illegal occupation Heavenly Father we just ask you to be in this place right now this place called the District of Columbia the Rev Patricia Fears noted While the White House credits the deployment of federal officers and National Guard troops with helping reduce crime in the city the faith leaders explained they re standing up against actions they called unconstitutional What we see going on is wrong What we see is not right It s not constitutional We cannot abide by it the Rev Clarence Cross mentioned They were joined by D C Council members Matthew Frumin and Robert White who stood with the crowd in prayer and song Related stories Judge upbraids prosecutors for handling of DC surge cases saying they have no credibility left Take off your masks DC-based group launches campaign to combat law enforcement surge This can be replicated White House touts drop in DC crime as mayor says federal surge is helping We re here not just as elected administrators but as neighbors and allies Frumin reported At a few point we will get to those pearly gates and we will be sought what you did in this time And I don t know about you but I know what my answer will be It s going to be that I did everything I could White revealed Faith leaders revealed the vigil is just the beginning Weekly prayer services and society forums are planned throughout September Source