Federal Judge Orders ICE to Release Migrant Children from Berks County Residential Center
On June 26, 2020, California’s Central District Court ruled that ICE should release children from the country’s three family detention centers, two in Texas and one in Berks County. “There is no more time for half measures,” Judge Dolly Gee wrote, citing unsafe conditions at the centers and the dangers
Policing and Criminal Justice Reforms Pass, Elections Reforms On Hold As Legislature Recesses
The General Assembly unanimously passed two policing reform bills and a measure to remove barriers to professional licensing for individuals with certain unrelated prior convictions before recessing for the summer, but left work on elections reforms on the table as the President's re-election campaign sued the state this week over
Keystone Counts Shares Update on the 2020 Census in Pennsylvania
Keystone Counts recently shared an update on the 2020 Census in Pennsylvania. LAMPa is one of the more than 100 coalition members of Keystone Counts, a statewide coalition of advocacy groups, service providers, and community organizations joined together to build an education and outreach effort for a fair and
ELCA Advocacy Introduces “Virtual Visits” Resources
During a time of physical distancing when policy makers are less able to be out in their districts, it is important that constituents take opportunities to communicate their experience and opinions about the heightened public health and economic challenges. There may be something invigorating about walking up to a pillared
As Trans Individuals are Targeted, Coalition Calls for Action on Hate Crime Bills
In the aftermath of the recent murder of members of the LGBTQ community, the recent historic Supreme Court ruling, and ongoing conversations about equality and justice in our society, the Pa Coalition Against Hate, of which LAMPa is a member, issued the following statement: “Now in Pride Month, a time
Take the ELCA Anti-Racism Pledge & View the Emanuel Nine Prayer Service
The ELCA Prayer Service for Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine was held on June 17, 2020, the fifth anniversary of the evening nine people were shot and killed during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. We join in a time of repentance, mourning and
Bishop Eaton Shares Message: This is the Day
June 5, 2020 “Out of my distress I called on the Lord” (Psalm 118:5). We are a nation in distress. We are a church in distress. The coronavirus has killed 103,000 of us. The virus of racism has taken hundreds of thousands more throughout our history. Now these two deadly
ELCA Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Racism and White Supremacy
May 29, 2020 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8). The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) reaffirms its commitment to combating racism and white supremacy following the recent murders of
Pennsylvania’s Response to the 2020 Census
As of May 24, 2020, Pennsylvania households have responded to the 2020 Census above the national average. The national response to the census, thus far, is 60.1%, with Pennsylvania's response rate being 63.1.% according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Pennsylvania ranks 16th in the response rate out of 50
ELCA Presiding Bishop Issues Pastoral Message on COVID-19 Racism and White Supremacy
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. -- I Corinthians 12:12 May 13, 2020 Dear church, Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic,
