“Having a group of interfaith clergy perform a ceremony focused on unity and wholeness therefore takes on special meaning to empower and celebrate rather than to stigmatize, control and dehumanize. Having such a ceremony take place at this moment in history is especially powerful for us as we seek to mobilize our communities of different faiths to come together to affirm and support the reproductive freedoms we cherish and have fought so hard to achieve.”
-Dr Laura Meyers, President & CEO, PPMW

With an emboldened conservative power, it was of utmost importance that this event was kept a secret until the day way over. On November 27, 2015, a mass shooting occurred in a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to nine. Policy wise, President Trump has already reinstated Reagan’s global gag rule, which prohibits US birth control funding in other parts of the world. Simultaneously, steps have been taken to include women in the military draft. This blessing set to affirm autonomy in freedom at a time when women seem to be getting stripped of it by the day.

What is perhaps most important, and often overlooked, is the attention that was drawn to the unique struggles faced by women of color, Muslims, and LGBTQ women in this country. The Reverend Doctors Dennis and Christine Wiley led the ceremony. Pastors at the inclusive Covenant Baptist United Church in Southeast DC, both emphasized the importance of all feminists owning their role in the civil rights movement.

“As a progressive Womanist Christian who is concerned about wholeness in the community, especially for those who are marginalized and disenfranchised, my task is to do what Jesus did, to meet people where they are with love and understanding, and bring healing and freedom to them.”

-Rev. Dr. Christine Wiley, Pastor, Covenant UCC

The blessing was as joyous as it was upholding. The all-female Afro-Brazilian drumline Batala Washington created a vibrant echo of percussion through the halls as people arrived. An anonymous Texas native gave her testimony of the trials she faced when she needed an abortion. The Hindu pujari (priest) blessed literally every corner of the facility. Covenant’s dance leader brought many to tears with her performance. In short, RCRC’s Clinic Blessing was a soul lifting experience for all who attended…myself included.

The post With Warm Embrace: New Planned Parenthood Clinic Blessed appeared first on .

Obama spent much of his last day in office making ‘thank you’ phone calls, but he also made time to commute sentences for 330 nonviolent drug offenders.

President Obama held his final Press Conference yesterday, where he focused on optimism and reassurance. Telling the American people, “we’re going to be OK.” Protests of the upcoming inauguration began in DC on Tuesday.

He also took the opportunity to send well wishes to George H.W. and Barbara Bush, both of whom were recently hospitalized.

Obama currently has an approval rating of about 57%. Presidential approval ratings typically increase after their tenure has ended.

Watch President Obama’s Final Press Conference…

The post President Obama Pens Final Presidential Letter appeared first on .

Congressman and Modern Civil Rights veteran John Lewis held no punches following a classified Congressional hearing with FBI Director James Comey. What has been declassified confirmed rumors that Vladimir Putin had, in fact, ordered the intervention of the US election to benefit the Donald Trump campaign. Lewis went far enough to call Trump an “illegitimate president”, a sentiment shared by many of the Congressman who accompanied him in the hearing. John Lewis, with a handful of his colleagues, decided he would not condone the 2017 Presidential Inauguration with his attendance. As Rachel Maddow put it, that number would have probably remained insignificant had Trump not stepped into the conversation.

The president-elect took to Twitter for his verbal altercation with Rep. Lewis. He never seemed to address the entail against him. Rather, he chose to undermine Lewis’ credibility as a politician and as a public servant– going as far to say that Lewis is “All talk, no action.” Congressman John Lewis, whom sustained life threatening injuries during the historic Bllody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. Having endured the fight against white supremacy for over half a century, he is apparently “all talk’. President-elect Donald Trump spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend insulting one of King’s closest allies.

It didn’t take long for the handful of inagural protesters to grow to nearly 50 Congressmen in both major parties. From members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) to conservative republicans, dozens rallied online with #IStandWithJohnLewis. Many of whom vowed to skip the January 20th event simply out of respect for Lewis.

Rep. Lewis also protested the 2001 inaguration of president George W. Bush following the controversy of the Florida recount. It is quite common for a few Congressman to sit out of these events for one reason or another. However, not since the inauguration of President Nixon have so many elected officials refused to attend the ceremony. In fact, the 2017 Inaugural Boycott could be the largest in United States History.

The post #IStandWithJohnLewis: 2017 Inaugural Boycott Grows appeared first on .

President Barack Obama brought forth a nostalgic juxtaposition in his

hour-long farewell to the head of the White House. His words were a

combination of a thank you card, motivational speech, State of the Union,

and an embedded instructor’s manual for leaders of the next generation. He

confidently denounced every bit of hatred and alienation encouraged by his

opposition without mention of names. However, maintained his dignity and

respect for his most vocal naysayers. The 44 th President of the United States

brought forth comforting optimism through historical

context, but with a wealth of wisdom that challenged the comfort

zone of every American.

Yes, we did.

Standing with pride in the accomplishments of his administration,

POTUS reflected on historical moves such as the 2009 General Motors

Investment/Bail-Out, the Affordable Care Act, Marriage Equality, ending

the threat that was Osama Bin Laden, and strengthening US-Cuban relations.

He did not attribute those accomplishments to himself nor any particular

politician, “but that’s what we did. That’s what you did. You were the

change. The answer to people’s hopes and, because of you, by almost every

measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started.”

Obama was determined to affirm the collective power of “ordinary people”

throughout his address.

But for all the real progress that we’ve made, we know it’s not enough.

Though surreal in its essence, the address was not short on its

sobering moments. The simple mention of the upcoming administration

sparked uniform booing towards the 2017 president-elect. Obama quickly

denounced the booing, and acknowledged “the peaceful transfer of power

from one freely-elected President to the next.” He spoke on the struggle of

economic justice, tying it to the frustrations of poor Americans, especially in

rural areas. Nevertheless he made it clear that we cannot use the case of poor

whites to push the fallacy of a “post-racial” society despite significant strides

in civil rights. Within the same moment, he asserted his support of all

marginalized people, including Muslims and immigrants. He encompassed

these ideas as he emphasized the importance of education, science, and fact-

based independent press sources. President Obama made a nationwide case

for the intellect in a society that is facing a pattern of glorified falsehoods.

Having given praises to his family, Vice President Joe Biden, and his

staff…President Obama turned to empower the American people…

I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change — but in

yours.

I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding

documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung

by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that

creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the

surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is

not yet written:

Yes, we can.

Watch the full address here…

The post Obama offers Humility, Assertiveness, Optimism in Farewell Address appeared first on .