‘We must defend our soldiers’

Latest

Pastor Keith Collins and wife Carolyn, who stand for justice for the poor, were arrested and need support.
PHOTO/DONATED

 
Benton Harbor, MI — A true man of God, Keith Collins, pastor of the Church of the Overcomer—a blue jean friendly church—says he “presents gospel to a world that is broken and filled with broken people.” Pastor Collins also serves more than a 150 people every week. What an amazing man.
The pastor, his wife and sister-in-law were arrested for conspiracy for something they had nothing to do with it. This is what happens to anyone who stands up for justice for the poor.
Pastor Keith is a graduate of Geneva College of Business and Divinity and holds a M.B.S Divinity and Ministerial degree from Friends International Christian University. He and his wife have undertaken mission trips to Ghana and Nigeria, and Pastor Keith has completed pilgrimage studies in Greece, Israel and Egypt. He served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army/Airborne. He also served as adjunct professor at Delaware County Community College. He is a marathon runner and cyclist. He and his wife have been married for 37 years.
Here are examples of how the system has attacked the pastor.
The Church of the Overcomer lived up to its name by successfully gaining tax exempt status after a decade of court battles. “It has been a long horrible ordeal,” said the Pastor. “We weren’t doing anything different then we were doing for the
past 10 years.”
The Delaware County Board of Assessment had issued a ruling that two additional parcels of church land, which paid approximately $10,000 in taxes annually, would also be tax exempt, beginning January 1. “One of those parcels has a building that serves as an office, outreach center and transitional housing unit, while the other provides additional beds for those who need help getting their feet under them,” said the pastor.
The city of Philadelphia was gunning for Pastor Collins. He called in Rev. Edward Pinkney from Benton Harbor, Michigan to be the keynote speaker at a meeting held on November 22-24. The purpose was to educate and inform the general public of Philadelphia about the historical challenges faced by those who have engaged in activism and non-traditional pursuits of justice.
Speakers also included Cheri Honkala, founder of the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, who has been arrested hundreds of times in the struggle for economic justice and housing. She gave a tremendous speech about how we can help Pastor Keith and his wife. Then came Sister Margaret McKenna, founder of the New Jerusalem Recovery Center in North Philadelphia. She was an original member of the Plowshares movement and served time in Federal prison for her anti-war effort. She was amazing. Next was Sister Pam Africa, who fought for justice for the Move family after the 1985 assault and bombing of a Move home that killed 11 Move members. She has also been a leading advocate for journalist Mumia Abu Jamal, often referred to as the most political prisoner in the world.
Sister Pam Africa spoke loud and clear; “We must defend our soldiers at all cost.”

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

‘We Need Urgent Global Climate Action’

Eighty-nine percent of people worldwide want their governments to do more to address the global climate crisis. Conference on tipping points says situation is urgent. Meanwhile U.S. govt does more to boost fossil fuel forms of energy.

May Day 2025: United We Will Win

International Worker’s Day is celebrated on May 1st around the world. Today, the entire U.S. working class, of which immigrants comprise an integral part, is under attack. The defense of immigrants is vital to the defense of the entire working class.

White School Officer Pepper-sprayed and Kneed Black Beaumont, TX Student, Complaint says. Will Feds Act?

A 6-second video, recorded by a teacher and reviewed by the Texas Observer, shows an officer grabbing a student’s hair, kneeing her in the face, and knocking the 100-pound girl on her back.

Pope Francis Dies After Easter Plea to End War in Gaza

"In his final public message, Pope Francis decried the “terrible conflict” in Gaza.

Bring Union Brother Kilmar Home: His Deportation Is an Attack on All of Us

The deportation of union brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a gut punch to the labor movement, a slap in the face to every worker who dares to organize.

More from the People's Tribune