January 30, 2025 - Sarasota Herald Tribune

Local religious leaders and faith organizations stand in solidarity together in the wake of new political leadership continuing an ongoing culture war against immigrants and LGBTQ+ sibling. Church of the Trinity MCC is proud to have helped draft this letter and have two of our pastors sign.

 December 18, 2024

For immediate release.

New ICE Policy Should be Alarming to All Floridians and Faith Communities, Sarasota Pastor Says

        “In this season of celebrating family, the birth of the Christ Child and the lights of hope, peace, joy and love, we also find ourselves in a season where these values are being violated right before our eyes,” said Rev. Lillie Brock of Trinity Metropolitan Community Church in Sarasota.

“Last week, we learned that the incoming Trump administration intends to eliminate a longstanding policy of not grabbing people – suspected undocumented immigrants, who, we must remember are people – from schools, hospitals and houses of worship. We must resist this deadly and cruel policy,” Brock said.

 Brock said that creating an atmosphere of fear in houses of worship is antithetical to American values, and pursuing mass deportations will run contrary to the government’s role of facilitating a strong economy.

 “Mass deportation goes against our values as a nation of immigrants,” Brock said. “Our country and, specifically, Florida, are only strengthened by those who come, to work, live, and enrich our communities. According to almost every knowledgeable academic, it will damage our economy. We depend on the labor of undocumented immigrants for our everyday needs. Moreover, as we continue to claim status as a world leader, we must not show our allies – nor even our enemies – that we so easily abandon foundational commitments to freedom, justice and compassion.”

Brock said freedom-loving Floridians, particularly people of faith and those who work in education and healthcare, should vocally oppose this looming policy.

“In this season wherein we tell the story of a family that had to flee for their lives to another country to escape terror, we must decide if loving our neighbor is just a sweet platitude, or something we will insist on right here, right now,” Brock said.

 

Media contact: Rev. Elder Brock: lbrock@trinitymcc.com or 941-355-0847.