Arpaio's crime sweeps trouble church leaders

While this column is typically the voice of a single pastor, I write today on behalf of TEAM, the Tempe Emergency Assistance Ministry, an interfaith organization of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities. As faith leaders in our city, we are greatly troubled by what we see happening in the East Valley as a result of the "crime sweeps" by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the sheriff's office.

While we understand that the sheriff might have the legal authority to pursue his present policy, we do not believe that he has the moral authority, and we call upon him to cease his immoral operations.

We are troubled, for his department is clearly using racial profiling in its crime sweeps. We are troubled, for his policy is creating an environment of fear and intimidation among Latinos in our community, legal and illegal. We are troubled that this policy is dehumanizing of individuals and groups of individuals in our community. We are troubled, for his policy is causing fear of all law enforcement officials in the Latino community, scaring people from calling the police when they may be victims of real crimes. We are troubled, for this policy seems to be leading to an increase of gang activity in neighborhoods where individuals are afraid to call the police to report such crimes. We are troubled, for this policy is working to increase racism in our community and to diminish the quality of civil discourse.

The Bible teaches us, 36 times, not to oppress the stranger, for we were strangers in the land of Egypt. We know what it is like to be the stranger, for we have been the stranger, and we have been the victims of oppression of the stranger. We call upon all our citizens to stand up for morality, for a reasoned, respectful debate on our immigration problem without fear or intimidation, a debate in which the "stranger" will not be oppressed.

We invite and challenge the faith community to respond with us to this urgent concern.

Together we represent a variety of congregations and a desire to speak for many whose voice may not be heard. Say no to the sheriff's troublesome approach. If you share this concern, speak to your pastor or spiritual leader and your county supervisor. For information on congregations associated with TEAM, see tempefirstumc.org or emanueloftempe.org.

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Dave Summers is pastor of First United Methodist Church of Tempe, 215 E. University Drive.

TEAM clergy whosupport this statement

Doug Bland, Community Christian Church

Art Campbell, Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church

Al Gephart, University Presbyterian Church

Gary N. McCluskey, University Lutheran Church

Sue Ringler, Guardian Angels Parish

Gil Stafford, St. Augustine's Episcopal Church

Rabbi Andrew Straus, Temple Emanuel

Dave Summers, First United Methodist Church