Faith Leaders arrested at Sen. Collins office say their activism has just begun

[TexasTowelie]

The nine faith leaders who were arrested at Senator Susan Collins’ Portland office last December learned Thursday that their charges would be dismissed. But rather than pledging submission, the interfaith clergy members told reporters afterwards that their activism would continue as long as the “legislatively enshrined injustice and oppression” continues.

“We have reached an agreement with the District Attorney’s office and are prepared to resolve this case,” said Rev. Allen Ewing-Merrill of Portland’s HopeGateWay United Methodist church outside the Cumberland County courthouse. “However, our work is far from finished.”

“Under the umbrella of a grassroots interfaith group called Moral Movement Maine, we will continue to shine a light on legislatively enshrined injustice and oppression, to communicate the moral obligation to care for those who are struggling, and to remind our leaders of their responsibility to provide for the common good,” he continued. “We will not be dissuaded or deterred. This is our calling. This is our commitment.”

Ewing-Merrill and the other members of the group were arrested in early December after staging a 9-hour pray-in at Collins’ office, hoping to sway the senator to vote against the “immoral” Republican tax plan, which gave massive tax breaks to the wealthy while forcing cuts to healthcare and other social services.

Read more: http://mainebeacon.com/faith-leaders-arrested-at-sen-collins-office-say-their-activism-has-just-begun/