MultiReligious Leaders' Press Conference to Protect Democracy
By Rev. Tom Duke
On a steamy, sunlit morning at the Minnesota State Capitol, I stood—proud and admittedly sweaty—among about sixty-five clergy from many religious traditions. We gathered in our varied symbolic garb to affirm a shared commitment: advocating for voting processes that are free, fair, secure, and accessible to all eligible voters in the upcoming elections.
Why is this the business of clergy? Because protecting the right to vote protects human dignity—a core value upheld across virtually all religious traditions. That dignity, and the voting rights that honor it, form the foundation of just, peaceful, and healthy communities. Most faith traditions aspire to such communities, and they recognize that democracy depends on safeguarding the voice of every citizen.
This commitment is not about partisan politics or specific policy agendas. It is about human thriving and well‑being. Religious leaders understand how institutions can be distorted, even corrupted, by greed and the pursuit of power, and how accountability to voters is a necessary check on those tendencies. The opportunity to choose leaders—or reject them—is as close to sacred as a secular process can be.
What made this press conference especially powerful was that clergy from multiple religious traditions spoke publicly with one voice. That unity is possible only because of years of intentional relationship‑building across differences—work that cultivates trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose. Through that process, leaders discover shared values, principles, and aspirations, even as they acknowledge real differences. Although differences often draw the most attention, far more is held in common across traditions than most people realize. When we do not know what we have in common, our differences will divide us; when we do know what we share, those differences can enrich us.
Respectful and appreciative relationship‑building across differences is not optional; it is essential to our collective future. As theologian Hans Kung observed, “without peace among religions there will not be peace in the world.” Each of us can stretch toward greater curiosity, reaching out to neighbors of different cultures and traditions to learn what we share and where we differ.
We can also support organizations that cultivate interreligious cooperation in service and justice work. I’m grateful to ISAIAH and Faith in US for convening this press conference and to the Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN) for its years of relationship‑building. You can read a news story about the press conference and explore the national clergy sign‑on letter, "Faith Leaders Defending Democracy," which has already been signed by nearly 2,000 clergy across many states.
Thursday, July 9, 11:00 a.m. - Noon; Virtua l Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA), as part of its Leading Social Change Scholar Series, will offer a free webinar lead by Dr. Hudda Ibrahim under the title "From Somalia to ICE: Working for Peace and Justice for Somalis in Central Minnesota." Dr. Ibrahim is a St. Cloud City Council member, who leads OneCommunity Alliance, a nonprofit that expands homeownership for new Americans in Central Minnesota. She previously taught liberal arts and humanities at St. Cloud Technical and Community College for more than ten years. She later transitioned into consulting, where she trained employers in workplace leadership, cultural competency, and employee retention. Dr. Hudda holds a doctorate in leadership from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. She also earned a master's degree in conflict resolution from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, and a bachelor's degree in conflict resolution from Saint Benedict and Saint John's University.
Wednesday, July 8, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.; The Heights, 1400 North Winthrop Street, St. Paul Celebrate the launch of an inspirational new program: Pope Leo Village! Inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to social justice, compassion, and service, this national interfaith movement unites people of all backgrounds to build homes, community, and hope. Locally, Pope Leo Village will help build five homes at The Heights on St. Paul’s Greater East Side. Volunteer opportunities extend to other build sites around the metro and Habitat For Humanity's ReStore locations. The event includes refreshments, speaking program featuring Archbishop Bernard Hebda, and a ceremonial wall-raising. Please RSVP by Friday, July 3.
Minnesota has long been a place of refuge. Generations of immigrants, refugees, and people fleeing war, persecution, and violence have found not only safety here but the opportunity to build new lives. They are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, business owners, and faith leaders. They have helped shape the rich religious diversity that strengthens our state. Today, however, many of these communities are living with profound uncertainty. Changes to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and new restrictions on access to asylum have left families wondering whether the homes, livelihoods, and communities they have built can endure. This week the Supreme Court issued two significant immigration rulings that narrow humanitarian protections. Mullin v. Al Otro Lado , the Court upheld the federal government's policy of turning away people seeking asylum at U.S. ports of entry. Mullin v. Doe , the Court ruled that the Trump administration may end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of immigrants from Haiti and Syria many who face life-threatening consequences if forced to return to their country of origin. This moment is especially troubling because it challenges a commitment the world made in the aftermath of World War II: that people fleeing persecution should have the opportunity to seek protection. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms in Article 14 that "everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution." Across our religious traditions, this principle resonates with a shared moral conviction that those escaping violence, oppression, or religious persecution deserve compassion rather than exclusion. As access to asylum narrows and humanitarian protections are reduced, many of the world's most vulnerable people—including those persecuted because of their faith—face even greater insecurity. For the Minnesota Multifaith Network, this is not simply a debate about immigration policy. It is a test of the kind of society we seek to build. Our diverse religious, spiritual, and philosophical traditions teach that every human life possesses inherent dignity and that we are called to care for the stranger and stand alongside those who live in fear. At a time when anxiety and division are reshaping our public life, we believe our deepest values invite us to resist fear with relationship, indifference with solidarity, and exclusion with hospitality. In doing so, we strengthen not only immigrant communities but the moral fabric of Minnesota itself. Minnesotans are not powerless in the face of these challenges. Each of us can help preserve our state's tradition of welcome by building relationships across cultures and faiths, supporting organizations that accompany refugees and asylum seekers, advocating for policies that uphold human dignity, and speaking out when fear and misinformation threaten our neighbors. Faith communities, civic organizations, and individuals all have a role to play in creating places where newcomers are seen, heard, and valued. By choosing compassion over indifference and courage over fear, we affirm that every person is worthy of dignity, safety, and belonging. In doing so, we not only stand with migrants and those seeking asylum—we strengthen the bonds of trust, justice, and pluralism that make Minnesota a place where all can flourish. The most important document that makes clear the rights of refugees and asylum seekers is found in the United Nations The 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol. The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign has shared the following list of resources and statements below for you and your networks, in case they may be helpful in light of these decisions. FWD.us - statement and resources RNS Article: As Supreme Court clears way to deport Haitians and Syrians, faith leaders grieve, prepare for what’s next (indexed in Atlas of American Belonging) What is happening with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States" — FAQs from International Refugee Assistance Project Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign post Church World Service (CWS) - roundup of resources and ways to take action Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Muslim Civi Coalition Interfaith Immigration Coalition Muslim Advocates Muslims for Just Futures We Are All America Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Jewish Council for Public Affairs National Council of Jewish Women National Network for Arab American Communities American Friends Service Committee Jesuit Refugee Service/USA Communities United for Status and Protection CAIR Center for Constitutional Rights Human Rights First CASA National Immigration Project The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights National Immigration Law Center National TPS Alliance Haitian Bridge Alliance
Saturday, June 27, 5;00 - 7:00 p.m.; Brian Coyle Community Center, 420 15th Avenue3 South The new band Ardaa will perform on Saturday, June 27, at the Somali Independence Day Cultural Festival taking place in Cedar-Riverside from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Ardaa are the headliners and will go on at a little after 6:00 p.m. Ardaa's mission is to rescue songs that were popular in Somalia before the Civil War in the early 1990s. The music is still remembered by many Somalis here in the Twin Cities, who are thrilled that Ardaa is ready to transmit these songs to younger Somalis who miss not just the music, but also the creative ferment that was a big part of life in Somalia before the War. The band consists of Ahmed Yusuf (vocals), Muhumed Ali Magan (oud), Mick Labriola (percussion) and Dawn Doering (ney, not pictured). Pictured but not performing on Saturday is Misbil Hagi-Salaad (vocals). The Cultural Fluency Initiative is supporting this effort.
Saturday, June 27, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Parish Hall, Unity Church, 733 Portland Avenue, St. Paul, and on Zoom The Unity Church Unitarian Indigenous Justice Team would like to extend an invitation to an interactive event featuring Mark Charles on Saturday, June 27, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mark Charles’s weekend visit to Minnesota is being co-hosted by the Minnesota Repair Communities for Makoce Ikikcupi and a working group of Community Outreach Teams at Unity Church. The Central Minnesota Repair Community, hosted by New Journey UCC and River of Hope ECLA, is offering a full day of events with Mark Charles in Hutchinson on Sunday, June 28. Mark R. Charles is a Native American activist, public speaker, author, and former independent U.S. presidential candidate known for confronting systemic racism and the legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Navajo Nation, he has served as a journalist, pastor, and consultant, advocating for truth-telling, and reconciliation. Charles co-authored Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery with Soong-Chan Rah.
Friday, June 26, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m .; Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd, St Paul Join Mukwa and other Indigenous organizations and leaders on June 26 for a rally in front of the Minnesota Capitol, where they will be presenting the "Mother Earth vs. Big Tech Petition." This petition advocates for a two-year moratorium on the construction of hyperscale data centers. The group's goal is to deliver this important message directly to the office of the Governor of Minnesota. RSVP is encouraged.
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Friday, June 26, 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.; The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul Come together with an audience of all ages for an inspiring performance of "Kumbayah: The Juneteenth Story." Written by Rose McGee and produced by the Sweet Potato Comfort Pie organization, this play examines the historical events surrounding the Emancipation Proclamation and has grown into an annual celebration and family affair for the actors, production team, and audiences alike. This 30th anniversary performance will feature special guest appearances from former cast members who gather in celebration of the play’s legacy. This event is free, but registration is required.
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Thursday, June 18, 8:45 - 11:00 a.m.; Quincy Hall, 1325 Quincy Street NE, Minneapolis Join the Minnesota Humanities Center at its annual Juneteenth Brunch, this year featuring poet and #1 New York Times bestselling author Clint Smith, who will examine how we can connect the history of Juneteenth to the broader American story of how freedom has been defined and delayed – and how we can work together to educate our neighbors and make good on the promise to afford full citizenship to African Americans. Spend the morning enjoying a meal and conversation, and receive a complimentary copy of Clint Smith’s book, How the Word is Passed: Remembering Slavery and How It Shaped America. Full tables (10 seats) are $700; half tables (5 seats) are $350; individual tickets are $75. Nonprofit tables (10 seats) are $600, and nonprofit half tables (5 seats) are $300.