Grand Rapids activists make demands of the Catholic Bishop regarding the current genocidal campaign by Israel against the Palestinians

Last night, 15 activists showed up outside of the residence of the Catholic Bishop to make demands that the church leader publicly speak out against what the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has called a genocidal campaign by Israel against the Palestinian people.

Organized by the Comrades Collective, people held signs and chanted out the building on Sheldon SE, which houses the office of the Catholic Bishop and his residence. The Comrades Collective sent out a Media Release, which read:

“The protest is to demand that Bishop David J. Walkowiak make a public statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to demand that the US government end all US Military Aid to Israel.

Bishop David J. Walkowiak is the moral leader of one of the most influential spiritual traditions in West Michigan, thus it is his duty to condemn the current genocidal campaign by Israel against the Palestinians living in Gaza. The International Criminal Court has even called what Israel is doing to the Palestinians as genocidal.

Bishop David J. Walkowiak has spoken out against other political matters, based on his previous statements, which people can view at this link.

To date, there have been more than 25,000 Palestinians killed by the Israel military campaign in Gaza, with the majority of those civilians being women and children. In addition, the Palestinians living in Gaza are facing massive food shortages, along with limited access to water. Lastly, most of the hospitals and other health care facilities in Gaza have been destroyed from the Israeli military assault.

It is imperative that Bishop David J. Walkowiak condemn such actions. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” In this instance, it applies both to the Israeli and the United States governments.”

The Comrades Collective also sent Bishop Walkowiak a letter last night stating:

“We are members of a Grand Rapids based social justice group known as the Comrades Collective.

Since early October, we have been participating in numerous non-violent actions throughout the Greater Grand Rapids area, calling for the immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for Israel to stop their brutal assault on Palestinians.

As you probably know the most recent estimates are that over 25,000 Palestinians have been killed during the first 100 days of the Israeli assault on Palestinians, with the majority of those killed being civilians, with roughly 10,000 of them being children.

We are aware of the fact that you have taken a public stance and issue statement on issues that are very political. We are asking you to take a stand now on behalf of the Palestinians. 

We are demanding that you issue a public statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to demand that the US government end all US Military Aid to Israel. US Military Aid to Israel is currently $3.8 billion annually.

Bishop David J. Walkowiak, as the moral leader of one of the most influential spiritual traditions in West Michigan, it is your duty to condemn the current genocidal campaign by Israel against the Palestinians living in Gaza. The International Criminal Court has even called what Israel is doing to the Palestinians, as genocidal.

It is imperative that you condemn such actions, to add your name to the growing list of leaders calling for an immediate ceasefire, especially since you can influence so many people who are part of the Catholic faith. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” In this instance, it applies both to the Israeli and the United States governments. 

We look forward to your response and your commitment to peace and justice. If you would be interested in meeting with some of us to have a conversation, we would welcome that.”

If the Bishop’s office responds, we will provide an update. In the meantime, it is important to ask the question, “How can a religious leader remain silent on one of the most important human rights issues of our day?”