Hazel Dell church stands against Missouri shooting

Hazel Dell — Members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ on Northeast 68th Street chose to take a stand in reaction to the recent violence in Ferguson, Mo. After worship on Aug. 17, many gathered on the front steps of their sanctuary to show their solidarity with those protesting the killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed African-American man, by a police officer. Faith communities across the nation have been joining in the protest and taking symbolic photos that say: “Don’t shoot! I’m unarmed!” The Rev. Brooks Berndt said the current controversy “raises a number of important issues about racism and the militarization of our police. Every community in this country should be discussing and acting upon these issues.”