And God shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
But they shall sit under their vine and under their fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.
For all people will walk every one in the name of their god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.
– Micah 4: verses 3, 4, 5 –
The prophet Micah, in 800 BC, anticipated an ideal period in life when all persons will enjoy pleasant, peaceful, and secure shelter, “each under their own vines and fig trees.” And “no one shall make them afraid.” A time when all would “live and let live,” each with their own gods and beliefs. Interestingly, one’s own “vines” today might mean safe, secure shelter; and one’s own “fig tree” certainly translates into productive jobs at livable wages.
The need for adequate, safe, secure, accessible and affordable housing in Alameda and Contra Costa counties is critical. Less then ten percent of residents in both counties can afford to own a house. Many tenants live in deplorable, overcrowded, unaffordable housing situations. And too many are homeless.
Since the first National Housing Act of 1944, the United States Congress has set a goal that every person be housed in “decent, safe and sanitary housing”. This moral commitment has been re-affirmed in every subsequent Housing Acts by Congress (1954, 1968, 1974, and 1978). Because “decent, safe and sanitary housing” is the right of every person, a much greater moral and political outcry must be raised.
Therefore, we the undersigned members of Interfaith Communities United (ICU) in response to the critical housing situation in our counties will begin to raise our moral indignation against this injustice. The current crisis is an outrage! Justice demands that every voice be raised until governments from the federal, state, county and city levels begin to listen. Justice demands that economic interests and businesses begin to respond much more creatively. Justice demands that substantial remedies emerge. We call upon every congregation, every temple, every mosque and every spiritual and moral constituency to consider what we have initiated, and add their voices to this cry for justice.
Micah 4: verses 3, 4, 5 |