Members of the Black Lives Matter movement disrupt the May 16 proceedings of the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. The demonstrators marched into the plenary session chanting slogans and gathered around the central communion table. ~umns photo/Paul Jeffrey
Members of the Black Lives Matter movement disrupted the May 16 proceedings of General Conference in Portland, Oregon.
JESSICA BRODIE
United Methodist News Service
Chanting “Black Lives Matter! Black Lives Matter,” close to 150 United Methodists swarmed the plenary floor at General Conference May 16 to voice concern for the oppressed and marginalized.
Clergy and lay men and women of all races — many wearing the rainbow stoles that signify full inclusion for LGBTQ — carried a banner proclaiming, “All #BlackLivesMatter: bisexual, transgender, poor, heterosexual, lesbian, gay, disabled, women, men, youth and children.”The marchers included members of various groups, including Black Methodists for Church Renewal, the Love Your Neighbor Coalition, the Reconciling Ministries Network and Love Prevails. Amid applause from both delegates and observers in the stands, they marched twice around the floor, chanting, “No more hate” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, homophobia’s got to go.” They ended at the center table for proclamation and song before marching out.
“(Black Lives Matter) is a movement that has opened the door and stepped into The United Methodist Church,” said the Rev. Pamela Lightsey, who helped organize the march. Lightsey is an associate dean at Boston University School of Theology and the first ordained black lesbian pastor in The United Methodist Church.
“We are upset about the lack of voice The United Methodist Church has given against police force (toward) black and brown bodies across the U.S. … which says they do not intend to put the power of this huge denomination against this.”
The demonstration began shortly after the 2 p.m. plenary session, presided over by Bishop Michael Coyner of the Indiana Episcopal Area.
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Last Updated on January 11, 2023
