GA06135

From homelessness at home to globalization abroad, Social Justice Issues spans the globe

by Corey Schlosser-Hall

BIRMINGHAM, June 21 — The Rev. Ann Philbrick, Social Justice Issues committee chair, led commissioners through a worldwide tour. "We will begin at home, travel around the world, and then come back again."

A proposal to encourage congregations and presbyteries to be engaged in ending homelessness passed 424 (for)-33 (against)-5 (abstentions) after it was amended to direct the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) to study and update the policy on ministry with the homeless in consultation with Presbyterian Hunger Program, Urban Ministries Program, the Presbyterian Washington Office, and Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association. 

The committee recommended a ground-up study of the issue, but commissioners wanted to update a previous study to save money.

The "no2torture" initiative was adopted handily (318-157-4). Former Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase said, "Holding our country accountable to the highest possible standards is something that most Presbyterians are able to be united on."

Others like Ken Robbins, elder from Stockton Presbytery, expressed concern about "the implied accusations" of the proposal. A former U.S. Navy officer, Robbins said, "I’ve seen a lot of investigations. But I’ve never seen one start a supposition of guilt."

Noting the auspicious numbering of this proposal (Item 09-11), and after adding some language to include "all foreign government and/or combatants" to the U.S. government as those to be held accountable for human rights, commissioners approved a paper focused on the issue of human rights in a time of terrorism and torture. The proposal was approved by a wide margin of 402-55-3.

The Assembly debated a commissioners’ resolution that "declares that any suicide bombing and terrorism, no matter who is the perpetrator or the target, constitutes a crime against humanity." Deliberation centered on what it meant to call suicide bombing a "crime against humanity." Commissioners also decided to add the phrase "and terrorism" to suicide bombing as a crime against humanity.

The Rev. Bill Reisenweaver from Miami Presbytery argued, "This is not rocket science. Are we willing to take a stand to say that suicide bombing is a crime against humanity?" Commissioners decided to approve the resolution (348-120) after the committee suggested the church already had plenty of statements that condemn suicide bombing. 

After excluding a proposed study on the U.S. tax system, commissioners received from the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Polity (ACSWP) a major study paper and recommendations called "Just Globalization: Justice, Ownership, and accountability."

The thrust of the ACSWP report is to educate Presbyterians on the sweeping influence and implications of globalization on a number of levels — individual discipleship, implications for congregational and presbytery mission, international governance, trade practices and issues for development assistance.

Commissioners included an item that instructs ACSWP to prepare a study guide to help make the material more accessible and include responses from multiple perspectives. Citing financial reasons and the lack of clear parameters, commissioners amended the report to exclude an item calling for a thorough study of U.S. tax policy.

Another proposal condemning labor practices and accusing Smithfield Packing Inc. of using "threats, intimidation, and violence against workers" engendered the most passionate deliberation and most divided vote in committee. On the floor of the Assembly, commissioners chose overwhelmingly (323-150-7) to refer this item to ACSWP.

Reisenweaver argued that after "an official from Smithfield Packing announced they were agreeing to all court orders handed to it and would work with the National Labor Relations Board," the church would be better served to let this play out and not issue a statement at this time.

The highlight of the evening came after commissioners approved a proposal in support of ongoing partnership with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Campaign for Fair Food. Lucas Benitez, farmworker and co-founder of the Coalition, thanked the PC(USA) for its solidarity and willingness to walk with the Imokalee workers toward a strong resolution of their relationship with Taco Bell.

Displaying a picture of Lucas Benitez and the Sr. Vice President of Yum! Brands (parent company of Taco Bell) shaking hands while announcing the resolution of the four year Taco Bell boycott, Benitez said that in "2005 the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and Yum! Brands signed an historic agreement for the workers that harvest their tomatoes. This is the first test to move the fast-food industry to a new path where human rights are protected."

"The church is absolutely necessary," exclaimed Benitez, "because of the power and influence it has with corporations. Executives of these corporations are often members of your congregations."

Benitez concluded, "We anticipate that commitment and vision will continue to grow to begin to expand this precedent to the entire fast-food industry so that all workers can be respected as human beings.