Black Lives Matter.
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

  • Voices
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Members
    • Covenant Partners
    • Issue Statements
    • Governing Board
  • Programs
    • Ecumenical Immigration Alliance
      • Ideas for Action
      • Sign Our Statement
      • The NC Sanctuary Coalition
      • Immigration Bible Study
      • Contact
    • NC Interfaith Power & Light
      • NCIPL Overview
      • Faith in Action NCIPL
      • NCIPL Articles
      • NCIPL Resources
      • Upcoming Events for NCIPL
      • Contact NCIPL
    • Partners in Health & Wholeness
      • PHW Staff
      • Mini-Grants
      • PHW Collaborative Pledge
      • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
      • PHW Articles
      • FAQs
  • Priorities
    • Racial Justice
    • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Public Education
    • NC Sanctuary Coalition
    • Farmworkers
    • Legislative Advocacy
    • Christian Unity
    • Peace
    • NC No Torture
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Events
  • Resources
    • Publications & Reports
    • Raleigh Report
    • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Donate
  • Council Store
  • Show Search

Search NC Council of Churches

Hide Search

Bright Spot: Perseverance Pays Off

The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director · September 24, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Recently, two stalwart champions of justice, Christina Cowger and Allyson Caison, received the annual Joshua Heintz Humanitarian Award from the Robert H. Jackson Center in Syracuse, NY. The mission of the Jackson Center is to “advance public awareness and appreciation of the principles of justice and the rule of law as embodied in the achievements and legacy of Robert H. Jackson, U.S. Supreme Court Justice and Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg.” The Heintz Award “recognizes individuals who demonstrate compassion, vision, and dedication in pursuit of international humanitarian justice.”

Christina and Allyson received the Heintz award for their efforts to bring justice and accountability to those harmed by North Carolina’s role in the CIA’s Rendition, Detention, and Interrogation program. For 12 years they have continued to speak up and call for accountability in the face of government inaction and waning public interest. Their enduring witness is a testimony to citizen activism and we are proud to have a long association with them and with the work of NC Stop Torture Now, the organization they helped found.

As Americans struggled to interpret the new post 9/11 world, our government engaged in behavior that betrays many of the values we purport to hold dear as Americans. Many of the people who authorized torture behind closed doors are the ones who stated publicly: “American values are under attack.” Indeed, our values were under attack and not just by those named as our public enemies. Our values were also under attack by our own government, though few of us knew it at the time.

When news surfaced about the “ghost plane,” concerned citizens in N.C. began to pay closer attention and helped organize others to do the same. They appealed to government officials to admit the truth and to the Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Intelligence, our very own Senator Richard Burr, to release the 6,700-page report on U.S. treatment of detainees in the post-9/11 period. No confession came from government leaders. Christina and Allyson were undeterred.

The soon to be released report from the North Carolina Commission of the Inquiry on Torture helps understand the truth of the CIA’s rendition, detention, and interrogation program. The Commission’s work would never have been possible without the stalwart determination of Christina Cowger and Allyson Caison. The report will be released at 11:00 am, September 27, at the Old State Capitol. Vigils are planned that night and in the coming days to offer North Carolinians a place to begin the process of confession, repentance, and restitution. The steadfastness of Christian and Allyson helps us all be more faithful people.

Vigils currently planned:
Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Raleigh
Government Plaza, Greensboro
Johnson County Courthouse, Smithfield

Filed Under: Blog, Homepage Featured Tagged With: Peace, Torture

The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

About The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Jennifer is a native of South Carolina and an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church. She loves South Carolina, but has managed to spend all but ten years of her adult life in North Carolina. Those ten years were spent pastoring United Methodist churches across the Upstate. She attended Duke University several times and in the process earned a BA, double majoring in English and Religion, a Master of Divinity, a PhD in religion, and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies. Prior to coming to the Council, she spent 16 years as the United Methodist Chaplain at Duke University, where she also taught undergraduate and divinity school classes, served on committees and task forces, and attended lots of basketball games. Jennifer has two children, Nathan, a software developer who lives in Durham, and Hannah, a student at the University of Tampa.

Reader Interactions

More Like This

On Not Going to Church
No More War
Bright Light on Interfaith Life

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anonymous comments or comments that target individuals will not be posted (please include your first and last name). All comments must be on topic and respectful. Comments will not be posted until they have been reviewed by a moderator. Comments do not reflect the positions of the NC Council of Churches.

Footer

Contact

NC Council of Churches
27 Horne St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org

Facebook

Partners in Health and Wholeness

Featured

Bright Spot: Perseverance Pays Off

Latest Tweets

Sign the @afsc_org petition calling on the Biden administration to keep Homestead child detention center in Florida closed! Follow the link to take action >> afsc.org/action/take…

Yesterday

Exciting Event! Register now for the screening of the short documentary: "Braided Prayer." The film tells the story of Abraham Jam, an interfaith folk/world music trio making the case that harmony can be even stronger than unity. Featuring @DavidLaMotte >> crowdcast.io/e/85zwf…

About 2 days ago

Recently, the Biden Administration has opened up HealthCare.gov until May 15th to give people who need health insurance a new opportunity to get covered through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Make sure to visit now to get covered!

About 2 days ago

Just last week, our Governing Board adopted a resolution calling for the removal of Confederate symbols in public squares. As people of faith & conscience, we believe such monuments are a constant reminder of prejudice against black and brown people. >> ncchurches.org/2021/… pic.twitter.com/iGCX…

About 5 days ago

"Amanda Gorman in her inauguration poem 'The Hill We Climb' begins with the lines: 'When day comes we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?'" Read more of this 2nd Sunday lenten reflection from Elizabeth Brewington >> ncchurches.org/2021/… pic.twitter.com/pgge…

About 5 days ago

Follow @ncchurches

Latest Tweets

Dr. Satcher questioned the structures that have upheld health disparities in our communities. By laying the foundation for this work, we can continue taking meaningful action towards promoting a society where we can all thrive. #BlackHistoryMonth @HHSGov @Surgeon_General pic.twitter.com/zrw2…

About 5 days ago

Amen! #MindfulTogether twitter.com/cornerpr…

About 6 days ago

RT @MAHECwnc There has never been a better time to quit smoking and vaping. Protect your health by keeping your lungs healthy! #quitlinenc #covid19 #asheville pic.twitter.com/bKlC…

About 6 days ago

Check out this new resource from @DrugPolicyOrg challenging us to dig deeper and work together to uproot the drug war. uprootingthedrugwar.… #harmreduction #mindfultogether

About 6 days ago

Dr. Julian's work was instrumental to the public health community. We carry his passion as we continue reckoning with our past so that we may continue building the beloved community. Learn more about Dr. Julian's legacy at pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ju…. #BlackHistoryMonth @novapbs pic.twitter.com/JJsm…

Last week

Follow @healthandfaith

Latest Tweets

RT @greenthechurch Be sure to read Green The Church's COO Kim Noble's op ed, "#EnvironmentalJustice in Focus this #BlackHistoryMonth", in the Texas Metro News! @Kimrenay22 #Austin #DFW #Houston #Texas #SanAntonio #EJ ow.ly/mOtw50DGQnN pic.twitter.com/IPOO…

About 5 days ago

RT @ActionAidUSA To build a truly just, equitable & sustainable world, we need to fight for a new #socialcontract. That means: ✔️ Defending democracy ✔️ Fighting for climate justice ✔️ Building equitable food systems ✔️ Supporting women’s leadership. Learn more: bit.ly/2M8xT40 pic.twitter.com/fEWv…

About 5 days ago

RT @interfaithpower IPL is proud to be a signer on this letter. The U.S. must provide bold and socially just leadership to protect our communities from the impacts of climate change, including the threats to our economy- @sbhendershot twitter.com/RealBank…

About 5 days ago

RT @interfaithpower "This is all of our country, this is our mother. It's difficult to not feel obligated to protect this land" - @DebHaalandNM with a powerful reminder of what she believes in. Her passion is exactly what we need right now; the Senate must #ConfirmHaaland! #ConfirmClimate

About 5 days ago

RT @EPA EPA is proud to join our agency partners as we tackle the climate crisis and build a healthier, cleaner, more equitable future for all. Let’s do this! whitehouse.gov/brief…

Last week

Follow @ncipl

Latest Tweets

Copyright © 2021 NC Council of Churches · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design · Hosted by WP Engine