Catholics of all ages compete in racial justice in downtown Atlanta

ATLANTA - A peaceful protest against racism and racial injustice in Atlanta on June 11 brought together Catholics of all ages and races, including families, students, teachers, priests, deacons, religious, stationery staff and faith organizations and local ministries.

Over 400 Catholics have filled the street in front of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Sanctuary volunteers said goodbye to participants and tags were provided to help people recognize familiar faces hidden by masks, a necessary safety precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing was also encouraged during the march.

Cathy Harmon-Christian was one of many volunteers from the Atlanta shrine greeting protesters. He has been a member of the parish for about five years.

"I was grateful to see this show of solidarity," the archdiocese of Atlanta newspaper Georgia Bulletin told Georgia.

For those who did not feel safe or were unable to join in person, a live streaming of the march was available, with around 750 people watching from start to finish. Online participants also submitted their names to be worn by the participants.

George Harris led a call and response on the sanctuary steps at the start of the protest. He is a member of the St. Anthony of Padua church in Atlanta and has marched with his wife and two daughters.

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Harris grew up knowing the victims of the bombing of the 16th Baptist Church in 1963, committed by four well-known Klansmen and segregationists. Four girls were killed and 22 others were injured.

"This was the event that shocked the nation, shocked the world," said Harris. "The murder of George Floyd was one of those events that shocked the conscience of many people."

"This is a peaceful and prayerful march for justice," said Father Victor Galier, pastor of the church of Sant'Antonio di Padova and member of the planning committee for the march. He hoped that at least 50 people would participate, but participation has exceeded that number of hundreds.

"We have to examine our own consciences for the times when we allowed racism to take root in our conversations, in our lives and in our nation," he added.

"At least, the people of Sant'Antonio da Padova are suffering," said Galier of his community. The parish in Atlanta's West End is made up of predominantly black Catholics.

The pastor has protested racism and injustice in Atlanta in the past two weeks in demonstrations, which have been sparked by recent murders of black Americans, including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

In the early morning hours of June 14, the city of Atlanta was plagued by the fatal police shootings of an African American man, Rayshard Brooks, 27.

The officers said they resisted the arrest and stole a Taser officer after initially accepting a sobriety test. Brooks' death was judged a murder. One officer was fired, another officer was placed on administrative leave and the city police chief resigned.

"Racism is alive and well in our nation and our world," Galier told the Georgia Bulletin during the June 11 Catholic-led protest. “As people of faith, we must because the Gospels called us to take a stand against sin. It is no longer good enough not to be racist ourselves. We must be actively anti-racist and work for the common good. "

Atlanta Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, along with Auxiliary Bishop Bernard E. Shlesinger III, participated in the march and led the prayers.

For those who think that the march against racism is not important, Hartmayer cited history, hope and conversion as reasons for doing so.

"We want to unite generations of people who have left their homes and taken to the streets to ask for justice," said the archbishop. “Racism continues to haunt this country. And the time is right, once again, to seek radical change within our society and ourselves. "

"Our African American families are suffering," said Hartmayer. “We have to listen to their voices. We have to walk with them on this new journey. We are marching because we need another conversion. And let's start by gathering as a community to share the scriptures and prayer. ”

With crosses and incense, Catholics marched 1,8 km through downtown Atlanta. Stops included Atlanta City Hall and the Georgia Capitol. The march ended at the Centennial Olympic Park.

The march was something that Stan Hinds saw his teachers grow - those teachers were on the Edmund Pettus bridge, he said, referring to the National Historic Landmark of Selma, Alabama, the site of the beatings of civil rights protesters during the first march for voting rights.

Continue this example for his students as a teacher at the Jesuit High School of Christ Rey Atlanta since its opening. Hinds was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Decatur, Georgia for 27 years.

"I've done it all my life and will continue to do it," said Hinds. “I hope my students and children will continue to do so. We will continue to do this until we understand correctly. "

Songs, prayers and scriptures filled the normally crowded rush hour streets of downtown Atlanta during the protest. As participants walked towards Centennial Olympic Park, there was a litany of "Say their name" for those who died in the fight against racism. The answer was: "Rest in peace."

At the last stop, there was a short reading of the Lord's Passion. After the moment Jesus died, the protesters knelt for eight minutes and 46 seconds, honoring the lives lost in the ongoing struggle for racial equality. It was also symbolic of the amount of time a Minnesota police officer held on Floyd's neck to block him on the ground.

Catholics were encouraged to "listen, learn and act" after the march to help fight racism. The suggestions were shared with the participants, such as meeting people on the margins, listening to stories, becoming educated about racism and actively promoting justice.

A list of recommended films and online resources were shared with the protesters. The list included films like "True Justice: Bryan Stevenson's Fight for Equality" and movements like Campaign Zero to end police brutality and a call to work for the approval of hate crime legislation in Georgia.

The June 11 event is just the beginning, said Galier.

"We really have to work all this time and dismantle the structure of sin wherever we find it," he said.