Ohio Billboard Quotes Biblical Call To Treat Immigrants With Compassion And Justice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Gehring
October 4, 2007 202-429-9683
jgehring@catholicsinalliance.org

OHIO BILLBOARD QUOTES BIBLICAL CALL TO TREAT IMMIGRANTS WITH COMPASSION AND JUSTICE

Washington, DC – Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good is joining with other social justice voices to speak out for immigration reform by co-sponsoring a billboard in Hamilton, Ohio (Butler County) that sends a powerful message about the need to welcome all immigrants with dignity.

The message on the billboard states in large bold letters, “You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you….Leviticus 19:34.”

The billboard came about as a result of recent raids targeting immigrants in Butler County and the disappointment over the failure of Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform, according to members of the Hamilton United Ministerial Association, sponsor of the billboard. Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good and the Cincinnati Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform provided logistical and financial support.

“The failure of Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform hurts many of our communities and threatens the common good. We hope this billboard sends a message that, in accord with our Catholic tradition and many faith traditions, all immigrants have dignity and deserve just and humane treatment.” said Alexia Kelley, Executive Director of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. “This billboard is an example of people of faith standing in solidarity with those who have been marginalized and are all too often demonized by hateful speech and inhumane policies.”

The Hamilton United Ministerial Association is an informal group of ministers that gather monthly for mutual support and fellowship. “During this time of national struggle to achieve responsible, compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform, the pastors of Hamilton United Ministerial Association call on all Christians – who are themselves aliens in this dark world – to show compassion and love to the strangers and aliens in our midst,” the Association said in statement in support of the billboard.

The billboard, located on State Route 127 south of Knightsbridge in Hamilton, will be displayed during the months of October and November.

Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good promotes awareness of Catholic social teaching and its core values of justice, dignity and the common good to Catholics, the media and Americans of all faiths. Through communications, grassroots outreach and strategic coordination, Catholics in Alliance supports other Catholic organizations that work to advance the call to faithful citizenship and the common good. For more information please visit www.catholicsinalliance.org
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