An Open Letter of Solidarity and Concern
- chenifer
- Apr 9
- 13 min read
Updated: Jul 27
Our American story has noble founding principles, courageous examples of living these principles, unfortunate examples of falling short of these principles, contrition for our mistakes and efforts to sustain our positive American story. We have a proud tradition of self-reflection leading to personal and collective changes for the common good. This Letter is a product of over six months of conversations, re-drafts and struggling with the reality of the anti-democratic second Trump Administration. This is my attempt to offer a voice of resistance, but more importantly to help remind us of our long history of an alternative vision for the United States. This vision is embedded in our principles and practice of over two hundred years. .
We have a laudable heritage on which to build. This is a time for more diligence to sustain the American experiment, not just as a constitutional democracy but in the day-to-day of creating a compassionate and inclusive society. Many of us are concerned that the voice of this noble tradition and our expressions of compassion are not meeting the challenge of today. However, more and more people and institutions are taking up this challenge. This Letter is an attempt to add my voice of solidarity to many who are assembling in protests and re-affirming in public statements our desire for a more empathic and compassionate nation. If in any way this Letter is a helpful reflection, please share it to spark conversations and actions to be in solidarity with other concerned Americans. (See samples of other Letters and Statements at the end of my Letter.)
--Harlan Stelmach
July 2025, Berkeley, California
An Open Letter of Solidarity
To Affirm and Sustain American Civic Principles
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”
–Lines from poem, “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus on a plaque on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty
We the people of the United States hold certain truths to be self-evident and worth fighting for. This is a faith that has guided our independence, our founding as a constitutional republic, our efforts to become a more perfect union, and our work toward inclusiveness and justice for all people. Do spend time reflecting on the significance of each of the following quotes to be reminded of our heritage.
Therefore, first let us re-affirm the truths of our founding documents. Here are a few from The Declaration of Independence, Our Constitution and its Amendments:
That all men are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
—Declaration of Independence
That congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise.
–First Amendment of the US Constitution
That congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
--First Amendment of US Constitution
That neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
—Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution
That all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.
—Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution.
That no person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector or President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military under the United States or under any State, who having previously taken an oath, as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State , to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
–Fourteenth Amendment, Section 3 to the US Constitution
That the President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for and Conviction of Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
--Article II Section 4 of US Constitution
Let us further re-affirm our efforts to live our values to form a more perfect union. These efforts are documented in moments of national crises and collective resolves to be more inclusive for all Americans. A few examples remind us of these moments:
That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
–Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address
We are a country of all extremes—, ends and opposites; the most conspicuous example of composite nationality in the world. Our people defy all the ethnological and logical classifications. In races we range all the way from black to white, with intermediate shades which, as in the apocalyptic vision, no man can name a number. We stand between the populous shores of two great oceans. Our land is capable of supporting one fifth of all the globe. Here, labor is abundant and here labor is better remunerated than anywhere else. All moral, social and geographical causes conspire to bring to us the peoples of all other overpopulated countries.
--Frederick Douglass, “Composite Nation”
That we hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
-- Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Declaration of Sentiment
That the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. A selfish victory is always destined to be an ultimate defeat. Unhappy events abroad have retaught us two simple truths about the liberty of a democratic people. The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism — ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. The second truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if its business system does not provide employment and produce and distribute goods in such a way as to sustain an acceptable standard of living.
-- Franklin Delano Roosevelt
That we affirm national policies that Abolished quotas: eliminated national origin, race, and ancestry as a basis for immigration. Established a preference system: created a seven-category preference system that prioritized immigrants based on their skills and family ties to U.S. citizens. Allowed for more immigrants from Asian nations: created new opportunities for immigrants from Asian nations to join relatives in the United States. Made it illegal to discriminate in obtaining visas: made it illegal to discriminate against obtaining visas based on national origin.
--The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1965, signed into Law by Lyndon Johnson.
That labor unions have the right to organize and assist employees in forming a union, allowing workers to join together to collectively bargain with their employer regarding wages, hours, and other working conditions, without interference or coercion from the employer; this includes the right to distribute union literature, talk to co-workers about joining a union, and attend union meetings, all while protected from employer retaliation.
—Summery of collective bargaining rights, National Labor Relations Board
That preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.
--Cesar Chavez
That when the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men — yes, Black men as well as white men — would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
-- Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, “I Have a Dream” Speech.
That the “Religion Clauses…protect adherents of all religions, as well as those who believe in no religion at all.” –Justice Sandra Day O’Conner when concurring with the Supreme Court majority’s conclusions in McCreary County v. ACLU
In addition, let us re-affirm our obligations to uphold international moral conventions and international laws for the sake of justice for our global community. This is a reminder that we live in an interconnected world in which we must be a responsible nation helping to promote and live up to our commitments. Here are some crucial agreements:
That all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
--Universal Declaration of Human Rights
That Indigenous peoples have the right to the full enjoyment, as a collective or as individuals, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
--As recognized in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law.
That our mission is to protect religious minorities, advance religious freedom and other human rights, and promote global awareness and understanding of liberal religion. We believe that religious freedom encompasses not only freedom of religion but also within religion.
—Internation Association of Religious Freedom
That the core principle of the 1951 Convention is non-refoulement, which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
—1951 Refugee Convention of United Nations High Commission on Refugees.
That the States parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right, recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international cooperation based on free consent. The States parties to the present Covenant, recognizing the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger, shall take, individually and through international co-operation, the measures, including specific programmes, which are needed.
—Article 11 1976 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
That this world can go beyond our generation and on down to succeeding generations with this kind of weapon on both sides poised at each other without someday some fool or some maniac or some accident triggering the kind of war that is the line for all of us. And I just think of what a sigh of relief would go up from everyone on this earth if someday—and this is what I have—my hope, way in the back of my head—is that if we start down the road to reduction, maybe one day in the road to reduction, maybe one day in doing that, somebody will say, “why not all the way? Let’s get rid of all these things.”
—Ronald Reagan
That climate change is a common concern of humankind, Parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, the right to health, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communalities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity.
–Paris Climate Agreement
That the Holocaust was preventable and that by heeding warning signs and taking early action, individuals and governments can save lives. With this knowledge, the Simon-Skjod Center for the Prevention of Genocide works to do for the victims of genocide today what the world failed to do for the Jews of Europe in the 1930s and 1940s.
–The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Though sobering, let us also reflect on the moments in our nation’s history about which we are not proud. We must acknowledge we made mistakes. In acknowledging this history, we must continue to make changes through contrition and a rededication to the positive touchstones of our history. Here are a few reminders when we have fallen short of our ideals:
The genocidal policies toward the indigenous populations in America
The enslavement of generations of Africans and the persistent reality of racist practices that continue today
The dehumanization of women, excluded from voting for much of our history, who still are denied advancement in many of our institutions and now have their health jeopardized with new laws to control their bodies
The incarceration of Japanese during World War II
The anti-labor laws and brutal treatment of workers striking for their freedom and human dignity
The gender and sexual orientation laws that marginalized and stigmatized so many
The suppression of legitimate democracies around the world
The colonial practices that gave special treatment to US corporations, marginalizing the poor and aiding unpopular elites
The involvement in misguided foreign wars that led to greater pain and suffering
The marginalization of many individuals in our country unable to sustain safe and healthy lives
In remembering we can work to remedy past injustices and re-commit to the positive touchstones of our accomplishments to inform what we stand for today. The only shame will be if we fail to act.
Therefore, with contrition, guided by the touchstones of our founding documents and our struggles for a more perfect union, let us rededicate ourselves to work together to address our deep concerns at this moment in our nation’s history. There are many concerns. We may not agree with all or see all as a priority, but all the concerns need our honest engagement. Share your concerns with others. Below are the concerns on on my list. I seek to find ways to engage. Again, the only shame will be if we fail to act:
Immigration Concerns:
The unfair and inhumane treatment of refugees already in our country and the denial of resources for refugees fleeing war and famine who have their asylum applications curtailed.
The indiscriminate deportation of individuals.
Religious Freedom Concerns:
The vilification of some religious traditions and communities.
The unconstitutional preference often given to one tradition.
Free Expression Concerns:
The censorship of books and educational programs that are critical of government policies and worldviews that undermine our constitutional freedoms of free speech and expression.
The chilling of free speech in media outlets by government agencies.
The dampening of civic dialogue where differences can be debated peacefully.
Constitutional Guarantees Concerns:
The attempts to eliminate birthright citizenship.
The loss of due process, habeas corpus.
Economic Concerns:
The lack of affordability for higher education, creating a divided nation of the “educated” and “uneducated,” with at least a 20% of the nation “illiterate.”
The tax policies that favor the most wealthy and narrow special interests.
The dismantling of governmental regulations that strive to create a level playing field for all enterprises with checks on abuse of corporate wealth and power.
Environmental Concerns:
The policies that prioritize economic self-interest over the protection of the environment.
The dismissing of scientific evidence for climate change.
The unhealthy planet that our grandchildren and their grandchildren will inherit .
Judicial Concerns:
The politicization of our judicial system that has become captive to ideological power.
The “rule of law” that has lost meaning due to the creation of unjust laws or the failure of those who make the law to fail to adhere to the law.
The attempts to intimidate and control judges, juries, lawyers and law firms.
The lack of term limits or ethical rules for the justices of the Supreme Court.
Diversity Concerns:
The dehumanization of women by eroding their right to control their bodies.
The vilification of “diversity, equity and inclusion” programs that undermine the vision of a pluralistic society committed to creating a just society for all.
The dismissing of scientific evidence that backs up the fluidity of gender, thus denying individuals the chance to express their true selves.
The use of transgender individuals as pawns for political gain.
Foreign Policy Concerns:
The policy initiatives that are based on “might makes right,” “bribery,” or intimidation.
The lack of diplomacy to spare the lives of Palestinians and the safety of the state of Israel.
The lack of will to find a solution to the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, to save lives, to defeat nation-state aggression, and to support an independent future for the Ukrainian people.
The risk of nuclear weapons.
Why are we in this moment of fear, dissention and divisiveness? Why in fair elections have people voted into office politicians and a party that do not believe in the basic touchstones of our democracy? Do we also bear some responsibility for this current situation? We have to look inside ourselves to explore an answer to this question by reflecting on the following questions:
Has our own wealth blinded us from being a better neighbor to all?
Has our isolation in our privileged neighborhoods shielded us from experiencing the pain of fellow Americans?
Has our own success based often on privileged access to opportunities given us a smug sense that we deserve our privilege and the right to judge others for not being successful?
Have our unsustainable lifestyles exacerbated the stresses on the climate and the world’s resources?
Has our desire to protect our privileges led us to ignore policies that hurt others as long as we are not in jeopardy?
Has our economic self-interest made us vulnerable to vote for candidates that can deliver for us rather than candidates who urge us to do what is best for a healthy world?
Answers to each of these questions are unique to each individual, yet there are consequences that arise because too many of us are unwilling to change our sense of the “good life” that we want, even at the expense of others. Let us seek a notion of the common good that is defined when “all are at the table.”
Using our touchstones, our contrition for mistakes, our will to learn from these, and our personal reflection on how our own actions can contribute to our current national moment, let us focus on the areas where we can agree and counter the reactionary tendencies that are poisoning our body politic.
This is our generation’s moment.
Please pass this Letter on to others and write your own solidarity “Letter” to add your voice to the many others listed below.
This Letter is one of many declarations and open letters that are appearing each day. They speak to aspects of our challenge. Let us gain strength and courage knowing that our voice and resolve is not alone. Here are links to some of these efforts:
Statements from Ecumenical Seminaries
President of Union Theological Seminary
Old Professors Association
Statements on Immigration
The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration, Church World Service
Church of the Brethren sign “Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refugé
Episcopal Church signs Church World Service ecumenical declaration in support of immigrants
Letter from Episcopal Church Leaders on Trump Administration immigration executive orders
Catholic bishops issue joint statement: Immigration is ‘a moral concern’ affecting dignity and human rights
Analysis of Trump Day 1 Executive Orders: Unconstitutional, Illegal and Cruel, National Immigration Law Center
Statement on Diversity
Brite Divinity School
Statements on War
Declaration on the “Russian World (Russkii mir) Teaching on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Statement on 3rd anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine, World Council of Churches
Statement on Gaza—American Studies Association Executive Committee
Episcopal Peace Fellowship condemns Trump proposal to take over the Gaza Strip
Statement on Antisemitism
Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism
Statements on Economic Injustice
Making the World Safe for Bribery, Christianity Today
The Peoples Union USA
Solidarity Statement: PSI Stands with US Unions Under Attack, Public Services International
Statements on Religious Freedom
A Record of Bigotry and Hate: Donald Trump’s Long History of Anti-Muslim Animus, Muslim Advocates.
Church Teaching on Religious Freedom, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Statements on Israel and Palestine
Bishops’ statement on Israel and Palestine, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Israel/Palestine Mission Network issues statement on the Stated Clerk’s MLK Day call
Statements on Individual Courage
PC (USA) advocacy committee issues statement supporting Bishop Budde
Why I Signed the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, Barry Trachtenberg, The Rubin Presidential Chair of Jewish History at Wake Forest University
Statement from Evangelicals
A Call to Revival, Confession of Evangelical Conviction
Statement from the Academic Community
Letter from the Executive Director of the American Academy of Religion