SAN DIEGO — San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP) and local clergy from numerous faiths and denominations held a media conference Thursday at the Roman Catholic Diocesan Pastoral Center in defense of black lives and demanded local police accountability.
Bishop Robert McElroy of the San Diego Catholic Diocese led the conference and called on the faith community to recommend reforms in law enforcement agencies to ensure fair and just treatment of all residents, regardless of their skin color.
“It lies in understanding that a genuine healing for our nation can only be found in a radical effort to accompany the African-American community in their weariness and rage and hope and despair that have been formed and deformed upon the anvil of racism, Bishop McElroy said. Ours must not be an episodic response that seeks to calm the waters of racial turmoil and then return to normalcy. The only authentic moral response to this moment in our nation’s history is a sustained conversion of heart and soul to genuinely comprehend the overwhelming evil of racism in our society, and to refuse to rest until we have rooted it out.”
While protesters across the country have been demanding that police be defunded over outrage of the deaths of black people in police custody, the San Diego City Council voted almost unanimously to increase police funding.
Many have been pushing to divert taxpayer money from law enforcement to put towards programs addressing issues such as poverty, homelessness and mental health.
Mayor Faulconer stated at a media briefing earlier this week that San Diego's budget would also help fund essential neighborhood services, including homeless shelters and child care. Nevertheless, Bishop McElroy said more police reform is needed.
During the media conference, Pastor Terrell Fletcher of City of Hope International Church called on all white clergy and people of faith to confront anti-black racism both inside and outside their congregations.
“The average racist is not at my church, the white supremacist in on your board and I’m calling on you to do something about it. We have to become the first century church to turn the world upside down and refuse to allow injustices like this,” Pastor Fletcher said. We must deal with what’s uncomfortable and do what’s right, not just write reforms on paper but see them come to pass.”
San Diego Gay Pride leaders also announced Thursday that they don't want a law enforcement contingent in their parade until there is support of a phased approach to policy reform focusing on black LGBTQ San Diegans.