On the Christian calendar this week is Holy Week and on Friday, Good Friday, we remember the crucifixion of Jesus. On that Friday in 33 CE, the Governor Pilate offered to release Jesus. Instead, the religious leaders pledged their allegiance to the Emperor Caesar, and the crowds shouted for Jesus, “Crucify him!”

This year on Good Friday, Venezuelan migrant workers, the vast majority having no criminal record, are being deported to and imprisoned in El Salvador. If we stay silent, we pledge our allegiance to the Emperor and allow the migrant workers to be crucified. Local small business will be forced to close because they cannot afford to pay the 125% on what goods they import from China.

If we stay silent, we pledge our allegiance to the Emperor and someone we know will be crucified. Families who depend on mostly lower prices at Walmart, which imports a vast amount of its goods from China, will struggle even more because they can no longer afford Walmart. If we stay silent, we pledge our allegiance to the Emperor and families we know will be crucified. When there is any act of violence against a Jew for being Jewish, a Muslim for being Muslim, a Black person for being Black, a foreigner for being foreign, if we stay silent, we pledge our allegiance to the Emperor and our neighbors are crucified.

I pray that this Good Friday I will not be among the crowd shouting “Crucify Him!” As a Christian I must stand and say “No!” to the Emperor, “No!” to crucifixion, and say “Yes!” to a living that leads to life for Every Person; for Every Person! I pray that you will stand up with me.

Patti Welch

Bristol