June 8, 2020
Dear Members of The Rock Christian Center:
As Pastor of Rock Christian Center, I have been slow to put out a statement regarding the senseless killing of George Floyd and countless others, not because I’m indifferent or unmoved, but because I am at a loss for words. The Rock joins the masses around the country and the world in issuing the strongest condemnation of the senseless, unprovoked killing of unarmed black men and women. The unspeakable actions of police officers who kill unarmed Black citizens without provocation or excuse continues to underscore the systemic inequities that persist in this country.
Over the last few years, we have seen too many killings of unarmed African Americans in the United States. From Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Botham Jean, Eric Garner, Walter Scott. Sandra Bland, Terence Crutcher, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and now George Floyd and so many others, as we have watched the news coverage of police officers and private citizens gunning down members of the black communities and have been unable to offer explanation or consolation to our children.
We are consistently praying for wives, mothers, grandmothers, aunts and loved ones of our black husbands, sons, grandsons, nephews and others.
Some in our congregation have heard the rallying cry and been a part of the peaceful protests to bring attention to the plight of African-America men in America. Let us continue to use our unified voices to continue to speak out against these incidents and remain vigilant to making sure we get out and vote. We must use our voices to directly impact local, state, and national policies and priorities. We also must vote to ensure that we elect leaders who will hold police officers who engage in unlawful acts accountable.
We are living in unprecedented times. Now more than ever and we must remain persistent, prudent, and prayerful while we demand justice for George Floyd and others like him whose lives have been senselessly cut short without cause.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Dee
