Dear Editor:
We are clergy in the Unitarian and Universalist tradition, dedicated to the search for truth and spirit of Love. We declare unequivocally our opposition to any US military action toward or economic harassment of the people of Greenland and Denmark.
The ancient Hebrew prophets have challenged generations across traditions to imagine a world where everyone can rest under their own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid.
In the last seventy years alone, many religious traditions have inspired humanitarians, anti-war protestors and members of the armed services.
Whether as advocates of humanitarianism, pacifism, or just war, at their best, religious traditions inspire work for justice and peacemaking. We honor the relentless humanitarians putting in hours upon hours to care for the wounded and to heal the trauma of war, brave anti-war activists arrested for their actions, sometimes with long prison sentences for peaceful civil disobedience, and members of the armed forces, dedicated to protecting our constitutional democracy and rights to freedom of speech, religion, assembly and due process.
In our 21st century, let’s heed the call for peace making- and reject calls for military invasion, assaults on the dignity of Greenlanders, economic harassment, or covert or indirect forms of pressure against Greenland or Denmark. We are disappointed and implore the Hudson Valley’s Congressional Representative, Mike Lawler, to withdraw his co-sponsorship of H.R 361, “Make Greenland Great Again Act,” which authorizes the US government “to seek to enter into negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark to secure the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.”
We are inspired by people of good will contacting our elected officials in the US Congress to make the call for peace and respect for Greenlanders known and clear. We are deeply inspired by the voices of the Greenlandic people, who are making clear their desire for respect, consent, and self-determination- and to not become part of the United States. All of our voices in New York must be clear- no invasion, no harassment, and peace with the people of Greenland!
With care,
Rev. Lane Cobb, Fourth Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westchester
Rev. Mark Cutolo, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockland County
Rev. Emily De Tar Birt, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester
Rev. Daniel Lawlor, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Hudson Valley
Rev. Danielle Lindstrom, Community Unitarian Universali
Rev. Arlin Roy, First Unitarian Society of Westchester
Rev. Danielle Lindstrom, Community Unitarian Universali
Rev. Arlin Roy, First Unitarian Society of Westchester
