Statement Regarding Trayvon Martin Call For Justice

This statement was released Saturday July 20th in response to the 100 City Rally called for by Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network concerning Justice for the family of Trayvon Martin

7/20/2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

STATEMENT REGARDING THE COMMUNITY AND CITIZEN RALLIES REGARDING THE TRAYVON MARTIN CASE RECENTLY DECIDED IN FLORIDA

CONTENT: 

As pastors and citizens of our community we stand in solidarity with countless millions across the country asking that the government undertake a renewed investigation into the possible racial motivations of George Zimmerman in stalking and eventually killing the 17 year old and unarmed Trayvon Martin. 

Although the courts and the predominately White female jury has interpreted the evidence in favor of Mr. Zimmerman, it is more than obvious to millions of Black Americans that the interpretation of Trayvon's efforts in his own self defense were viewed through a racial interpretive and not an interpretive lending itself to either individual or community justice. We feel that his actions are due a much greater level of scrutiny, and as it has historically been in civil rights, if scrutiny is not called for, justice will not be served. 

We also feel that a local conversation is vitally important to our community, in part, because a version of "stand your ground" and "self defense" will be adopted in relationship to new laws associated with concealed carry in Illinois. Since it is abundantly clear that such laws are rarely interpreted in favor of Black men and woman, it is in the citizens best interest to stand with a strong voice demanding the full attention of our elected representatives as they move forward to forge and implement such legislation. 

Finally, we must seek to challenge local authority to create and implement law enforcement policy acceptable to ALL of the citizens of Peoria which includes the Black community. 

Although national statistics affirm that the rate of usage and sales of drugs are shared in sheer numbers by both Black and White individuals, incarceration rates of Blacks in Peoria for such crimes hold steady to national norms, lending to the negative sterotypes and discouraging outcomes for Peoria's Black citizens, families and youth in particular. We feel that we must continue to address these stereotypical attitudes that result from this negative attention and set forth agenda that will address issues of ALL as we seek to build a better, stronger and more vibrant community. 

In short, we encourage and stand with those who stand for the rights of free speech, peaceful assembly, and the message of accountability directed towards those who have been charged to govern us. In a post civil rights America, we should be reminded that this call to accountability is a duty to all citizens and not just some citizens. 

Thank you. 

Pastor Harvey Burnett 

Peoria Assn. Of Pastors 

New Bethel COGIC

God Can Restore Our Streets But We Must Not Give Up!

This is an example of what the Lord can do in our streets. This effort may take one person at a time to reach just one more, but it can be done and we are situated to do it.

When Values Change

When values change the priorities of indivuals change, the effects are immediately felt within the community. If indivuals don't value life or have purpose they cannot contribute to the community of those who have the value for life, living and the community.

Community groups, individuals and businesses can be a part of facilitating the change that is so desperately needed. Churches are an essential part to providing neighborhood stability, accountability and services that address the spiritual and emotional needs of community members. In partnership, I believe that there can be a fundamental change in the results that we are seeing at street level.

This is not a top down effort. This is a community wode effort and your help is essential to this process. Please join us on Facebook for updates and community plans.

Together, and with the help of the Lord, I believe that we can do what concealed carry and increased police presence cannot do. Stay tuned!

Pastor Harvey Burnett

A Community Call To What???

Did Our Mayor Exclude Community Leaders?

Was It In Order To Score Political Points?

Many of you reading this will automatically experience a knee-jerk reaction. I only ask that you read on as I place a context with the question.

On Saturday Feb. 13th 2010 Peoria's Mayor Jim Ardis along with State Representative Jehan Gordon and Senator Dave Koehler are sponsoring a Community Call To Action to uncover and develop new strategies in dealing with crime and violence in the Peoria area. If that were all there was to the strory, that would be a good thing, but as usual, it's not all.

Let's Go Back:

On Thursday Feb. 12th 2009 after the murder of Mario McGee, I and the Pastor's Association called a Community Call To Action at the Higher Dimensions Church (Pastor Bob Randle). This meeting was attended by over some 40 indivuduals representing various church groups and concerned citizens. We talked about the conditions of the city and made our best efforts to commit to strategize to change things at a grass roots level. We discussed gangs and their influence and how we as community groups and concerned citizens can change our community together.

Before I go into the heart of the matter and my concern as expressed to Mayor Ardis regarding the Feb. 13th event, I must lay some ground work so that the reader, even those critical or misinformed regarding my statements, can get a grasp on my concern.

These Are The Facts:

1- On Tue Jan 5th 2010 at 1:55 PM,  I contacted the Mayor's office with the following email:

Mayor,

God bless and Happy New Year!

Can we get together at your earliest opportunity. I have some ideas I'd like to share and some things I need your help with as it pertains to the community. Thanks.

2- The Mayor responded to my request on Tue. Jan 5th at 3:15 PM with the following email:

Rev Burnett

I have asked Kristie to try and confirm some times/dates that will work for you so we can get together and talk. I have to tell you that I find it difficult to come in on the discussion after the press conference/photo-ops have taken place but I will continue to try and get together asap. We need to communicate better I guess. I look forward to our meeting.

ja (emphasis added)

My request to the Mayor took place around the same time that we conducted a community prayer vigil for the last (17th) murder victim of 2009, Diondre Nunn. The best I can figure is that the Mayor had seen me on TV along with the family carrying on this vigil. That was the context in which I greeted his statements. This led to the following response by me:

3- I responded to the Mayor's previous email on Tue. Jan 5th 2010 at 3:42 PM with the following email:

Mr. Mayor,

Thanks for the response, but I am at a complete loss regarding it. To hear you say things like"photo-ops"/ "press conference" concerning anything that I would like to discuss or even recently discussed is baffling. Please expound on your concern regarding this matter, if you would.

I had also wanted to meet with Jim Mont.., Eric Turner, and Clyde Gully to go over some new ideas but I think a private meeting may be best for you and I so that we can be as specific as necessary. I appreciate it. Thanks again.

Pastor Harvey Burnett

Rescheduled Community Call To Action

The Peoria Pastor's Community Call To Action has been rescheduled to Thursday March 5th at 6:30 PM at the Dream Center located at 714 Hamilton Blvd. We will meet on the second floor in the Hamilton Conference room. Special thanks to Pastor John King and the Riverside Community Church Family.

In this vital meeting the Pastors hope to gain consensus on a far reaching community intervention plan. This plan called Peoria Safe Kids & Safe Families 2009 will be designed to create and focus on neighborhood initiatives and person to person contact with community members in order to help change lives.

Although this meeting is open to the public and interested persons, Pastors or their representatives are highly encouraged to attend and be present as this initiative will require the support of many churches a far reaching audience.

Questions About This Initiative:

Q~ My church and I are located in far North Peoria. How Can I be of impact in this effort?

A~ Although activities will be focused on statistically and speculated higher than average crime areas within inner City Peoria, this effort is inclusive of ALL of Peoria and ALL Peorians. Simply put, what happens in one area of town affects all Peorians. Each church and individual can be involved in developing a far reaching community plan as well as supporting interventions which they may be best suited to their membership makeup and ability to support. All "hands" will be appreciated and afforded opportunity to work, comment and provide input in this venture.

Q~ I want to maintain my religious identity. Will that be threatened?

A~ The efforts of the Peoria Assn. Of Pastors seek to be as doctrine neutral as possible. There is no ascription to certain doctrinal beliefs or religious affiliations for participation. The truth of the matter is that we realize that although we are a Christian organization participants that help this community may be from all corner and facets of the community. After all the community belongs to ALL of us. The mode, method and means for our outreach will be and most certainly is biblical from a Christian perspective, however anyone wishing to help need not be threatened by religious affiliation.

Q~ We have many prayer groups that already exist. Is this another one?

A~ The Peoria Safe Kids & Safe Families 2009 project is not a prayer fellowship such as we see with the Peoria Transformation Celebration, Peoria Prayer Furnace, PUSH Initiatives or the Peoria 40 Days Of Prayer. This initiative is a proactive action designed to physically and materially engage the culture with the Love of Christ. Of course "men should always pray and not faint" but the purpose of this gathering is to prayerfully place legs and actions of faith behind those prayers that have been prayed and continue to be prayed.

For additional information questions or comments regarding this or any other effort of the Peoria Assn. of Pastors, please don't hesitate to email Pastor Burnett at dunamis1@netzero.com or call (309)688-6599. remember that each one is vital to the health, success, and safety of the Peoria Illinois community.