Press release from UU Congregation of Monmouth County

On Sunday, September 25, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County will serve as the setting for a Black Lives Matter Community Rally, with all interested members of the public welcome to attend.

Scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. in front of the UUC Meetinghouse at 1475 West Front Street in Lincroft, the rally will feature the participation of guest speakers and representatives from churches and other organizations in the greater Red Bank area, as well as other Monmouth County communities.

According to Aimee Van Dyne, Chair of the Racial Justice Task Force at UUCMC, “When we say ‘Black Lives Matter’ we are acknowledging the systemic racism that is prevalent in education, housing, jobs and criminal justice in this country. The statistics show clearly the bias that black and brown people face in all aspects of life in America.

“We are acknowledging that while the civil rights era may have ended legal segregation and ensured voting rights, it did not change the deep rooted bias of a large part of the American population. That bias is ingrained in our business and our governmental policies.

“We believe that many caring Americans are unaware of the issues faced by people of color,” Van Dyne continued. “Black Lives Matter is a statement and a movement that seeks to acknowledge that once and for all BLACK LIVES MATTER TOO.”

What should be our response to the systemic hatred and violence inflicted upon people of color in the United States? How can we resist and undo white supremacy? How do we create a beloved community where love and respect for all rules? Learn more about these issues and join the members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County and faith leaders from around the area to reflect on the answers to these pressing questions. Join us as we make a public commitment to a community built upon racial justice and relationships of goodwill and harmony.

Some of the speakers and participating organizations will be:

Black Lives Matter Asbury Park – Jennifer Lewinsky

Pilgrim Baptist Church – Rev. Lorna Wilson

Holmdel Community Church UCC – Rev. Rusty Eidman Hicks

Monmouth Reform Temple – Rabbi Marc Kline

Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park

Derek Minno Bloom and Liza Minno Bloom – Lincroft Presbyterian Church

UU Congregation of Monmouth County- Rev. Virginia Jarocha-Ernst

For further information, call the UUCMC at 732-747-0707.