Local faith groups have reacted with strong concern over President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily banning refugees and immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim nations from entering the United States.
That includes Interfaith Forum of Columbus, the Islamic Society of Columbus Indiana and a six-person contingent of Christian pastors in Columbus.
Christine Lemley, a longtime leader of Interfaith Forum of Columbus, recently emailed a statement to a range of local residents from the Religious Institute decrying Trump’s order. The institute is a national, Connecticut-based multi-faith group advocating for justice in faith communities.
Lemley said the the local interfaith group stands with the institute on the matter.
“The executive order is unconstitutional,” Lemley said. “I think we know that as Americans. And it especially touches me because my grandparents were immigrants to this country.”
Lemley mention that the United States itself was born out of religious and other oppression.
“We have to keep remembering that,” she said.
For more on this story, and local reaction from the Columbus community, see Friday’s Republic.
