Mount Zion Baptist Church of Greensboro, INC. stands in solidarity with other voices, organizations, and institutions calling for racial and restorative justice for black people across our nation.  As a church with a history of social justice and a mission to serve the city, we must not be silent on the matter concerning our brother and native North Carolinian, George Floyd.  Furthermore, the inhumane treatment and murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department shines light on the many disparities black people face daily in their personal and corporate pursuit of life, liberty, and justice.  We have witnessed countless black lives lost to the hands of over-policing and brutality.  We have watched various policies, procedures, and constitutional laws be unjustly rendered to communities of color.  We have waited for clear responses for broken promises made to black people in the area of job creation and community enhancement.  We have wrestled with coded racist and divisive language against black people in the media and with political personalities.  We have wanted to see fair housing and economic growth in black communities across this nation that have been historically underfunded and ignored.  Now is the time for cities across America, including Greensboro, North Carolina, to honestly examine themselves and deal with the root of racism within its structure.  People are hurting and pseudo actions from city officials in an attempt to protect its image will only deepen the wound of injustice.

The Bible teaches us to “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor;” (Isaiah 1:17).  In this spirit, we stand against every intentional and unintentional act of oppression and the sin sick culture that supports a white supremist ideology.  We stand in support of the millions gathering around this nation and the thousands convening in Greensboro protesting and calling for justice and equity.  Black men and women need to be heard, and those whom the system has favored since the beginning of our nation need to listen and stand with the oppressed. The culture of white privilege continues to be the knee on the neck of the black community, and “We Can’t Breathe”.  As a church, we will be earnestly praying with unwavering faith for the community we serve, the city we love, and our nation under God.

We Will Never Forget

TRAYVON MARTIN, George Stinney, Jr., KEITH SCOTT, ATATIANA JEFFERSON, JONATHAN FERRELL, JORDAN EDWARDS, STEPHON CLARK, breonna taylor, AMADOU DIALLO, RENISHA MCBRIDE, TAMIR RICE, SEAN BELL, rayshard brooks, WALTER SCOTT, PHILANDO CASTILE, AIYANA JONES, TERRENCE CRUTCHER, ALTON STERLING, FREDDIE GRAY, JOHN CRAWFORD, EUGENE HAIRSTON, MICHAEL BROWN, JORDAN DAVIS, SANDRA BLAND, BOTHAM JEAN, OSCAR GRANT, COREY JONES, AHMAUD AUBREY, ERIC GARNER, TANISHA ANDERSON, GEORGE FLOYD, and the countless others.

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in the time of trouble.” Psalms 9:9