Dear Governor Doug Ducey, Senate President Karen Fann, and House Speaker Russell Bowers,
As organizations representing a diversity of faith traditions, we are called to speak out and stand with the most vulnerable among us. We are deeply troubled and concerned by the potential impact of HB2326 on our vulnerable Arizona communities. The registry is just targeting immigrant communities and does not list all others with misdemeanors, creating a false list of Arizonians that could be targeted unjustly.
Arizona faith communities are ready to move forward in seeking justice, dignity, and common well-being. Unfortunately, legislation like HB2326 prevents our communities from doing this. The impact of this legislation on our Arizona community is unconscionable and an affront to our beliefs and our values. Our combined scriptures speak of the common humanity, dignity, and worth of all people. The Abrahamic Traditions share the text, Genesis 1: 26-27, ”And God created all beings in God’s image.” Abrahamic faith traditions understand that there is something that reflects the Divine One in every person, regardless of where they were born. HB2326 will only create a climate that SB1070 created with its sentiments and pushes against the focus of our missions and visions as members of different faith communities.
This month marks a sacred season for many Arizonans of faith. As we prepare to observe Ramadan, Holy Week, Passover, Ridván, and the Gathering of Nations, we are called to realign ourselves with the moral imperatives outlined in our respective traditions which all demand that we welcome the stranger and love our neighbor. This bill will directly impact our ability as people of faith to live out the moral mandates outlined in our scriptures.
HB2326 does not welcome the stranger but rather opens a clear path for harassment and targeting that puts them and their families in danger.
We call upon your and other Arizona lawmakers to vote against this bill.
Signed By:
Arizona Faith Network
Arizona Jews for Justice
CORAZON Arizona (Federation of Faith in Action)