Take a knee

I am asking for you to join me on Thursday at 4 p.m. to ‘take a knee’ for 8 1/2 minutes. I just read about the Mayor and chief of Police of Easthampton inviting their residents to join them in kneeling for 8 ½ minutes on Thursday to protest racism and the recent death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota.

“Wherever you are in the city of Easthampton, we’re inviting you to join us, for 8 ½ minutes to reflect,” Mayor Nicole LaChapelle said. 

Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. That officer, Derek Chauvin, now faces both a manslaughter and a third-degree murder charge. State and independent autopsies have both concluded that Floyd’s death was a homicide. 

You are encouraged to wear face coverings and stand at least six feet apart from others. You may come to our church and kneel outside or whereever you are. Kneeling is a sign of respect, as Christians, we do it all the time in worship. Let this moment be a moment of reflection, prayer, sorrow, and hope. Pastor Rick Rabe

source for some information https://www.gazettenet.com/Vigil-planned-in-Easthampton-for-George-Floyd-34582325