praise connection
July 26 - Aug. 1, 2017 Page D-5
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Faith leaders urge Congress to create fair pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals and families Faith leaders with LA RED, an initiative of PICO National Network, the largest network of congregations and faithbased groups, today sent a reminder to Senators Dick Durban and Lindsey Graham to refrain from creating a dichotomy of “good” and “bad” immigrants. They urged the Senators to put families first by pushing for a fair pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals and families. “It’s admirable that Senators Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham are advocating on behalf of undocumented youth,” said Eddie Carmona, campaign director for LA RED, an initiative of PICO National Network supporting immigrant justice. “In introducing the ‘Dream Act,’ they may have been hoping to spare undocumented youth from deportation, but we should all remember that there is already a policy in place -- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) -- that protects undocumented youth and allows them to thrive. Undocumented youth and their families now need members of Congress to show moral courage and support DACA, while simultaneously pushing President Trump to end the criminalization of immigrant families.” “For faith leaders and immigrant justice advocates, the challenges facing undocumented families requires a comprehensive approach that includes both protecting immigrant youth from deportation while also exposing the harms of other anti-immigrant policies -- such as militarizing the border and conducting aggressive raids -- that place the broader immigrant community at greater risk.” “I am conflicted about supporting the 2017 Dream Act,” said Nanci Palacios, lead organizer
with Faith in Florida, a state federation of PICO National Network. “After being in this country for 22 years, it excites me that there’s another ray of hope to become permanently protected. However, I am torn because once again politicians are using language that criminalizes people like my parents; accusing them of ‘breaking the law’ simply because they came to the United States to escape violence. Once again politicians are making me and my community choose between supporting something that would relieve some of us, while continuing to criminalize others. I am not okay with gaining permanent protection while other vulnerable immigrants, like my parents, are criminalized by border enforcement.” “A lot of us are clear about the moral and economic benefits of DACA -- it improves local economies while enabling hundreds of thousands of youth to reach their full potential,” Carmona said. “What’s less clear is that DACA can be used to create a binary of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ immigrants. But in God’s eyes, all people are worthy of love and grace. As Senators Durbin and Graham advocate for the Dream Act, we hope they will press the Trump administration to reverse course on not only the anti-immigrant sentiments, but also inhumane policies.” “I don’t believe in getting a benefit as a DACA recipient knowing my mom and my leaders, who have worked so hard to highlight the humanity of immigrant individuals and families, will be thrown under the bus,” said Catalina Morales, an organizer with ISAIAH Minnesota, a state federation of PICO National Network. “If we are going to support the immigrant community we need to first support the parents
who endured much hardship to get their children and families to safety. Their choice to put the best interest of their families first doesn’t make them criminals; it makes them brave.” “The introduction of a bi-partisan 2017 DREAM Act is an important step in providing relief to an estimated 1.2 million undocumented youth
throughout the country,” Carmona concluded. “However, we will NOT sacrifice more enforcement and border militarization or be forced into choosing who is a ‘deserving’ immigrant. As people of faith, our families are our priority and we are committed to advocating to stop the devastation of families by President Trump’s deportation machine.”
Avery Lee Figures On Saturday, July 1, services for Avery Lee Figures were held at World Wide Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor William A. Cunningham officiating. Mr. Figures passed away on June 23, 2017. Avery Lee Figures was born on Nov. 10, 1931 in Mobile, Alabama to Charles and Barbara Figures. In 1953, he moved to Detroit. He became a seaman on the S.S. South America cruise line. He worked for a short time at Bradford Steel and later, General Motors Corporation for many years.
Stephen Carl Hamilton was born in Detroit on March 26, 1947 to Lincoln Howard Hamilton II and Alice Geneva Hamilton. He received a higher education degree in African-American Studies. He was a photographer, a writer, a poet and a philosopher. Cherishing the memory of Stephen Carl Hamilton are his daughters, Wendy Herrick, Angela Allen, Nina Hodge and Eboni Hamilton; a brother, Lincoln Howard Hamilton III; and many other relatives and friends. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home.
Daniel Carl Albright Services celebrating the life of Daniel Carl Albright were held on Sunday, July 28, at Universal Liberty in Christ Temple, Inc., officiated by Elder Andre F. King and Rev. Naomi Gatlin. Mr. Albright passed away on June 29, 2017. Daniel Carl Albright was born on Aug. 21, 1944 in Detroit to Charles and Carol Albright, one of eight children. He was educated in the Detroit Public Schools.
In the late 1970s, he met Charlene Clark and they raised a daughter, Gail, and a son, Gerry. He was an avid sports fan. Cherishing the memory of Avery Lee Figures are his love, Charlene Clark; two stepchildren, Gail Gardner and Gerry Settles; two brothers, James Figures and Norman Figures; a sister, Barbara Figures; and many other relatives and friends. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home.
Stephen Carl Hamilton Services for Stephen Carl Hamilton were held on Saturday, July 8, at Zion Congregational Church of God in Christ with Elder Bruce Clifton officiating. Mr. Hamilton passed away on June 30, 2017.
Interment took place at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Johnella Frazier
In 1969, he married Elberta Webster and they had two children Tashia and LeSheia. Later, he married Maxcene Jackson and subsequently had five stepchildren. His third wife was Gwendolyn White. His hobbies were fishing, playing bingo and watching game shows. Cherishing the memory of Daniel Carl Albright are his two daughters, Tashia Jones and LeSheia Funches; two brothers, Paul and Henry Albright; one sister, Naomi Gatlin; and many other relatives and friends.
Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Services for Johnella Frazier, who passed away on July 22, will be held on Saturday, July 29, 11 am, at Fellowship Chapel, 7707 W. Outer Drive, Detroit. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 28, at O.H. Pye Funeral Home, 17600 Plymouth, Detroit. Mrs. Frazier, born Oct. 1, 1948 in Detroit, was an entrepreneur, community activist and youth mentor. Among those cherishing her memory are her husband, Greg Fazier; children, Dara Harper and Khary Frazier; grandson, Solomon Harper; and many other loved ones. To share a memory, please visit www.pyefuneralhome.com.
Ms. Aretha Franklin Presents A
August 25 – August 26, 2017 • 6PM NEW BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH ■ 8430 C. L. FRANKLIN BLVD.
REVEREND JASPER WILLIAMS
EVANGELIST DOROTHY NORWOOD
BISHOP CLARENCE HADDON, SR.
FRIDAY – August 25th REV. JASPER WILLIAMS of Atlanta, Georgia EVANGELIST ELBERNITA “TWINKIE” CLARK REV. ROBERT SMITH, HOST PASTOR ---INVOCATION NEW BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH CHOIR
EVANGELIST ELBERNITA “TWINKIE” CLARK
REVEREND ROBERT SMITH
SATURDAY – August 26th REV. JASPER WILLIAMS of Atlanta, GA EVANGELIST DOROTHY NORWOOD EVANGELIST ELBERNITA ‘’TWINKIE” CLARK NEW BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH CHOIR BISHOP CLARENCE HADDON, SR. – INVOCATION
LIGHTED, SECURED PARKING A SOUL FOOD BUFFET — Beans & Cornbread – Compliments of Ms. Franklin – No Charge