Religious figures in Columbus have recently expressed deep concern about human dignity and community welfare.
Joseph Stanley Jr., pastor of Greater Twelth Missionary Baptist Church, initiated contact with Ohio Representative Ismail Mohamed to organize a joint response.
Their collaboration resulted in a Faith Leaders United Press Conference held on December 20 at Stanley's church, where participants declared their opposition to current community developments.
The gathering focused on heightened enforcement operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that began affecting Columbus residents around December 17, drawing reactions from various community sectors throughout the week.
Reports from immigration lawyers and community organizations indicated approximately 15-20 daily arrests by ICE on December 17 and 18 in the Columbus area.
An ICE representative stated on December 18 that their actions represent "ongoing efforts to uphold public safety and enforce federal immigration laws."
Community Leaders Address Enforcement Concerns
The December 20 event included diverse religious representatives alongside politicians including State Senator Hearcel Craig and State Representatives Munira Abdullahi and Latyna Humphrey.
"What we are experiencing right now is not theoretical but it is personal," Stanley told approximately 60 attendees at his church.
He offered prayers for compassion to replace current policies.
"We are gathered because members of our community are currently in fear," Stanley stated. "As the pastor of a Black Baptist church, I want to be very clear: We are some of the first who should be standing up and locking arms with our brothers and sisters in this moment because this is not the first time we have been here."
Stanley noted that African American communities understand targeted enforcement and differential policing, acknowledging that while he respects legal systems, not everything lawful is necessarily ethical.
Before the conference, he expressed hope that religious leaders could foster community dialogue and encourage unity in addressing humanitarian challenges.
Mohamed provided guidance on responding to ICE encounters and mentioned business closures resulting from enforcement activities and community apprehension.
"If we stand up now we can put an end to this," Mohamed asserted.
He referenced recent derogatory comments about Somali residents, who number approximately 60,000 in Columbus, emphasizing that while certain political perspectives might remain unchanged, community education could counter negative narratives.
"It's a way to educate," he explained regarding the event. "We're not garbage. We're good, decent Americans who care."
Imam Horsed Noah from Abubakar Assidiq Islamic Center offered prayers and remarks, stating, "We have been chosen by God almighty to stand up and speak truth to power and protect one another."
Derrick Holmes, senior pastor at Union Grove Baptist Church, voiced support for Somali community members.
"Bigotry and hatred and prejudice will not be tolerated by the City of Columbus," he declared. "Equity must never be contingent on ethnicity."
Additional community activists and political figures also addressed attendees during the gathering.
"Dignity, safety and justice belong to everyone," Stanley concluded. "Thank you for refusing to let fear have the final word."
Planned Community Response
The Columbus Liberation Center scheduled a mass meeting for 4 p.m. on December 20 at 1004 Parsons Avenue with the goal of removing ICE from the city, involving multiple local organizations.
"It’s clear that these ICE attacks, which follow President Donald Trump’s despicable comments regarding our Somali neighbors, are meant to cause fear and terror," stated Olivia Rowland of ICE Out of Cbus.
"This mass meeting will show that we are united, and we will fight back," Rowland continued. "We won’t stop until ICE is out of Columbus."
