"We weep when a child is born into this world.
We sing and dance when the good Lord takes someone home."
– Mourner at a jazz funeral
Friday – Sunday, June 8-10, 2001
(OPTIONAL) On your own in New Orleans.
Rest! Relax! Sit by the Mississippi!
Drink Chicory Coffee. Eat Bignets.
Listen to Jazz!
Enjoy!
Monday Evening, June 11, 2001
6:30PM – 9:00PM
The Memorial Celebration & Preparation
Music, Dance, Red Beans & Rice, Special Guests, Hands-On Justice Training [St. Mark’s Community Center, 1130 Rampart St.]
Tuesday & Wednesday, June 12-13, 2001
8:00AM – 6:00PM
The Wake and Vigils
Invest 2 hours or 2 days in the Cause of Justice
[Meet under the trees, North End of Superdome entry ramp on Poydras]
Wednesday, June 13, 2001
11:00AM – 12:00PM
The Jazz Funeral
[Meet under the trees, North End of Superdome entry ramp on Poydras]
Wednesday, June 13, 2001
12:00PM – 2:00PM
The Civil Disobedience and Arrest
[Those arrested will move into arrest zone. All others will stand vigil in support.]
The Jazz Funeral Story
More than ten thousand Southern Baptist Delegates are coming to New Orleans, June 12-13, 2001, for their annual convention at the Superdome. Representing 16,000,000 members in 40,000 churches, Southern Baptists are a primary source of misinformation about sexual and gender minorities.
They believe sincerely that we are both sick and sinful; that the so called "gay agenda" threatens the American family; that our call for the rights/rites of marriage will undermine that "sacred institution;" that we should not be allowed to adopt or foster parent, to teach or coach children, to serve in the military, let alone be ordained for Christian ministry.
Southern Baptists are not our enemy, but their anti-homosexual teachings lead to discrimination, suffering, and even death. That’s why our Soulforce Direct Action in New Orleans includes an historic "jazz funeral." Because Southern Baptist teachings turn even our friends and families against us, we weep when their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered children are born.
During our last vigil we will march around the Superdome behind a New Orleans jazz band playing "When the Saints…" to help the Southern Baptists understand the tragic consequences of their anti-homosexual rhetoric. Please stand, walk, dance with us in this loving, nonviolent, carefully (and prayerfully) planned act of protest. In doing justice with Soulforce, you will find your own spirit renewed and our nation transformed.
If you can’t join us in doing justice in New Orleans, would you consider helping someone else attend (or helping an arrestee pay his or her bail) by sending a tax-deductible donation or air/hotel miles you’ve collected to Soulforce? Adopt a "jail bird for justice."
Also, you can help us get the word out by forwarding this email to your list. These actions DO change minds and hearts and the media coverage helps carry our message to the nation.
Dr. King warns us that "Time is on the side of injustice…" If we don’t take our stand now, when will we ever take it?
Mel White, Soulforce Executive Director
Jimmy Creech, Soulforce Board Chair
We will send you housing/transportation/and other information when you…
REGISTER or REQUEST INFORMATION atINFO@SOULFORCE.ORG
or WRITE Soulforce, Inc., P.O. Box 4467, Laguna Beach, CA 92652
or CALL KARA at 1-(510)-594-2401