Who We Are
Christians Stop Genocide co-founders Al Maslowski-Yerges and Matt Velguth have known each other since they met in the first grade of their parochial school in 1973. They both left their hometown after high school going their separate ways. Each married and had families living and working in wide ranging locations around the country and the world but touched base from time to time often discussing the issues of faith and justice in contemporary society. The genocide of Palestinians sparked one such exchange last fall that centered on the role of religion. A thousand miles apart, Matt and Al both began attending protests in a search for ways to effect change, action that eventually led to Christians Stop Genocide.
Inspiration
The news on March 18th that more than 400 civilians in Gaza had been killed by American bombs dropped on their refugee tents moved Matt to look for a way to express his concern for Palestinians. On April 5th he went to Washington DC to attend the Stop the Genocide! march. Two days later he was at the White House to protest again. Al, who had been to Gaza and Hands-Off rallies in Denver on the 5th was in contact to take action should Matt be arrested or detained for voicing his opinion.
Matt went with a simple symbol of love, a heart with Gaza spelled out across it. The March was attended by more than 4000 protesters. People had traveled from all over the nation to be there. Most striking here and at the White House two days later was the large Jewish presence standing with the Palestinians. Here were Jew and Muslim standing side by side for peace and justice. The sight was awe inspiring. “Two of the three Mosaic traditions were represented but where are the Christians?” thought Matt. It later dawned on him that he was a Christian there with the Muslims and the Jews.
The other protesters were certainly welcoming so it wasn’t for a want of hospitality that the march lacked a more substantial and visible Christian presence. Knowing many in the American Christian community to be troubled by the genocide, neither was the absence of a lack of concern. As he drove home Matt and Al had a long phone conversation. They had grown up with the history of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King recent to their childhoods. Churches were the bases of support for the non-violent protests. They lent their organizational capability to those marches and demonstrations. Not all churches participated certainly but those that were living their faith stood up. So what’s stopping them now? Perhaps it's just a matter of getting them started. This is what we are here to do!
Let’s get started!
This is what Christianity looks like!
Submit your photos of your peaceful protests and we will try to post as many as we are able to!
