March 24, 2018 ~ March for Our Lives Rally ~ Arcata, CA ~ Opening Ritual
We are local spiritual leaders, representing some of the world’s great religious traditions. Today we are not here to teach or preach, but to listen and learn. To all the students gathered here today, and the million students marching for your lives across the country and around the globe: we want to listen to your voices and learn your wisdom. We want to support you, honor you, and march with you. But first, there is something we must do, as your elders and as community leaders: we must ask for your forgiveness! We call on heaven and earth to be our witnesses! Students, we ask forgiveness for failing to provide safe schools! For electing incompetent leaders! For allowing the NRA undue influence over our government! For all this, forgive us! ~ (Rabbi Naomi Steinberg, Temple Beth El, Eureka)
Students, we ask forgiveness for our complicity in systems and policies that have left you vulnerable to horrific and lethal violence; for the times we have failed to use our positions of moral authority to speak out on your behalf and for the ways we have failed to recognize, honor and treasure all of you as beloved children of God, made in God’s image. For all this, forgive us! ~ (The Reverend Daniel DeForest London, Ph.D., Christ Episcopal Church, Eureka)
Students, we will earn your forgiveness by dedicating ourselves to your safety, by supporting your efforts to end gun violence, by teaching your wisdom, and amplifying your voices! Students of Humboldt County, of California, of America and of the world: May you be blessed with strength of heart, with courage, with energy, with vision and hope, now and always!
DANIEL DeFOREST LONDON 