Jericho Walkers Pray for Full Freedom and Restoration for Marissa Alexander
Supporters of Marissa Alexander in Jacksonville, across the US, and all around the world are overjoyed that Ms. Alexander has been released from jail after serving 3 years behind bars for defending her life. Recently, a local group of faith believers held a Jericho Prayer March on December 6, 2014 in preparation for Marissa’s trial scheduled for December 8, which did not happen due to her serving the additional 65 days in Duval County Jail. Still, they offered prayers and songs of deliverance while they marched around the multi-million dollar Jacksonville Duval County courthouse, while meditating on figuratively tearing down the walls of systemic injustice and building strong systems of family wellness, in that they would be whole in every area of their lives. Bishop Izelles Kirpatrick, Christian Life Fellowship in Jacksonville, Florida, who helped lead the March says, “We acknowledge that domestic violence happens in our homes but we must do better at reaching out to and supporting families in loving ways. As we know, domestic violence and violence in general has a systemic effect on the family. Having personally lived in a household where domestic violence became our way of life, I witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of its power. Domestic violence is driven by fear, power, and control. As Believers, our weapons are prayer and peaceful intervention to loosen the grip of violence, but as leaders, parents and families, let’s make a conscious effort to be a part of the solution and not the problem when it comes to domestic violence.”
Pastor Annie Theresa Bryant Montgomery, Pastor of Abundant Peace Ministries in Jacksonville and Lead Coordinator of the Jericho Prayer March, became pastor to Marissa and her children during her in-home detention. “It’s past time for Marissa Alexander to be a full-time mother again! The chains of bondage during this entire ordeal have kept her from being the loving and compassionate parent she has always been to her children. Her baby girl was snatched from her breastfeeding mother in this ordeal but God has restored their bond. In all of this, we sometime forget the children are the priceless jewels which are affected the most by domestic violence.
Children who live with domestic violence are also at increased risk to become direct victims of child abuse. In short, domestic violence poses a serious threat to children's emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. As an educator for over 22 years, I have seen countless times of children who are exposed to domestic violence having poor school performance. Children who experience violence in their homes may have impaired ability to concentrate; difficulty in completing school work; and lower scores on measures of verbal, motor, and social skills.
Moreover, these same children often learn destructive lessons about the use of violence and power in relationships. These behaviors are usually seen in the form of bullying their peers. Furthermore, they may learn that it is acceptable to exert control or relieve stress by using violence. It is our hope and prayer that our faith-based leaders and community be strongly provoked to both educate and empower our youth about the issues and effects surrounding domestic violence.”
Thousands of supporters steadily collaborated to support the Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign via social media and raised funds for the Freedom Fund for over two years. “I believe the huge response to this Campaign has been an answer to our prayers, says Campaign founder and co-lead, Sumayya Coleman with the African-American/Black Women’s Cultural Alliance. “It was Marissa’s faith that affected my faith the most in this whole ordeal. I have served in the anti-gender violence movement and survivors for almost thirty years in a variety of roles, but I never saw such a complicated and unjust situation on so many levels. Though this case was truly heart-breaking, I am even more encouraged to further serve communities of faith by educating and equipping them to minister to women, children and families who experience violence in their home and addressing laws that impact survivors. ”
The Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign shift to restorative justice is open to all communities of faith. This is an area where their collective leadership should make the most difference. Getting outside the walls that create divisions to build local and national connections across denominations is necessary to addressing all types of violence such as domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, human trafficking, racism and other oppressions. Everyone has a part to play in restoring individuals and our communities.
Pastor Annie Theresa Bryant Montgomery, Pastor of Abundant Peace Ministries in Jacksonville and Lead Coordinator of the Jericho Prayer March, became pastor to Marissa and her children during her in-home detention. “It’s past time for Marissa Alexander to be a full-time mother again! The chains of bondage during this entire ordeal have kept her from being the loving and compassionate parent she has always been to her children. Her baby girl was snatched from her breastfeeding mother in this ordeal but God has restored their bond. In all of this, we sometime forget the children are the priceless jewels which are affected the most by domestic violence.
Children who live with domestic violence are also at increased risk to become direct victims of child abuse. In short, domestic violence poses a serious threat to children's emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. As an educator for over 22 years, I have seen countless times of children who are exposed to domestic violence having poor school performance. Children who experience violence in their homes may have impaired ability to concentrate; difficulty in completing school work; and lower scores on measures of verbal, motor, and social skills.
Moreover, these same children often learn destructive lessons about the use of violence and power in relationships. These behaviors are usually seen in the form of bullying their peers. Furthermore, they may learn that it is acceptable to exert control or relieve stress by using violence. It is our hope and prayer that our faith-based leaders and community be strongly provoked to both educate and empower our youth about the issues and effects surrounding domestic violence.”
Thousands of supporters steadily collaborated to support the Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign via social media and raised funds for the Freedom Fund for over two years. “I believe the huge response to this Campaign has been an answer to our prayers, says Campaign founder and co-lead, Sumayya Coleman with the African-American/Black Women’s Cultural Alliance. “It was Marissa’s faith that affected my faith the most in this whole ordeal. I have served in the anti-gender violence movement and survivors for almost thirty years in a variety of roles, but I never saw such a complicated and unjust situation on so many levels. Though this case was truly heart-breaking, I am even more encouraged to further serve communities of faith by educating and equipping them to minister to women, children and families who experience violence in their home and addressing laws that impact survivors. ”
The Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign shift to restorative justice is open to all communities of faith. This is an area where their collective leadership should make the most difference. Getting outside the walls that create divisions to build local and national connections across denominations is necessary to addressing all types of violence such as domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, human trafficking, racism and other oppressions. Everyone has a part to play in restoring individuals and our communities.
