Above: Reverend Billy’s arrest during the “Carry The Names” protest in Grand Central Station.
Note: We have worked with Rev. Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir and reported on their actions. We know they take nonviolence very seriously. They recognize “love” as the unifying value among us and that violence is counterproductive as it only leads to more violence. The charge against him of attacking a police officer is absurd to everyone who knows him. There is absolutely no way that Billy Talen would attack a police officer. It is out of his character and inconsistent with his training, experience and past actions. It is very sad to see police resort to making false statements like this. We can only hope that the judicial system brings out the truth and police to do not get away with this lie.
Reverend Billy was arrested while speaking at a vigil for victims of deadly police force in Grand Central Terminal in New York City. In this little film, he returns for the first time to the place of his arrest with the Stop Shopping Choir. At the end, the Choir sings about climate change while holding placards with names of Mike Brown, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice. Off-camera fifty cops and soldiers stare, afraid of the names (afraid of the lives) of their shooting victims.
Human Rights and Earth Rights must come together. If we’re environmentalists without equality, then we’re left with a Sierra Club of white middle class earnestness. If we fight inequality and leave out the Earth, then we get our justice but lose our lives. The uniting principle is to be unafraid of life in all its forms. Radical Forgiveness. Amen?
In an email Rev. Billy wrote about the impact of the false charge of assault on a police officer is affecting him and his family:
Most of you know that I have been targeted by the New York police. It’s a dispiriting turn of events, but after traveling to Ferguson twice last fall, the second time with the Stop Shopping Choir, I shouldn’t be surprised at what’s happened.
But I am surprised. Hand-cuffed in mid-speech in Grand Central Terminal, then lied about in the press – yes I am surprised and disappointed. The people who said that our mayor “has blood on his hands” after a completely crazy person shot two police-men – these spokespersons for police are simply dangerous. They use the Murdoch press against people and slander is their bill in trade.
When I found in the papers that I “attacked a policeman” – I looked at my four year old daughter Lena and then I went to the window and looked at my neighborhood. I have police families who live nearby and they are reading that I attacked one their own? Even without witnesses, videotape evidence or even the willingness of the District Attorney to press charges – they would endanger me in this way. And now Lena has nightmares…
It’s a wonder that I’ve been an activist for so long without this kind entrapment. Maybe the humor and music in our approach to protest has protected me. Ultimately, I’ll grow from this. Our singing activism will be braver.
And Choir has been wonderful. I’m so lucky to have these friends. And many of you have reached out to us. Thank you.
Rev. Billy cries out “Earthalujah!”
All photos were taken from this video where Rev. Billy tells the story of his arrest and sings with the choir for “radical forgiveness”