Moral Mondays heads to Washington: Faith leaders from around the US march on Senate to protest Jeff Sessions

#MoralRevival March to #StopSessions pic.twitter.com/saWmKaa1g1

— Repairers of the Breach (@BRepairers) January 9, 2017

The march was led by an interfaith coalition of clergy, most notably by the Reverend William Barber II, who orchestrated North Carolina’s unyielding Moral Mondays protests against that state’s curbing of voting rights. Barber, who is working closely with the Reverend Jennifer Butler, CEO of Faith in Public Life, commented that Sessions has engaged in “fear-driven, discriminatory leadership” and that such leadership is not befitting of an Attorney General.

BREAKING: @RevDrBarber and interfaith clergy head to majority leader's office to denounce @SenatorSessions pic.twitter.com/a4KQLQ9u1M

— Repairers of the Breach (@BRepairers) January 9, 2017

Sessions, who was rejected for a federal judgeship in 1986 because he was deemed too racist by the Senate, has voted against hate crimes legislation, voiced consistent antagonism toward voting rights, misrepresented his civil rights record, repeatedly voted against reproductive choice, and supported anti-immigration laws.

We stand with people of faith against bigotry. Our rights must be protected. #stopsessions @BRepairers @RevDrBarber pic.twitter.com/TqmUxQC3u5

— Union of Southern Service Workers (@RaiseUptheSouth) January 9, 2017

Barber also noted that Sessions’ record shows “consistent support for ideological extremism, racist and classist policies, and the writing of discrimination into law.” During the press conference before the march, Barber reminded conservative Christian Senators of their espoused commitment to Christian values, urging them to remember that love and racism are incompatible.

Love thy neighbor! No exceptions! #MoralRevival pic.twitter.com/t0VOzVNCzm

— Repairers of the Breach (@BRepairers) January 9, 2017

The interfaith gathering was a show of solidarity between religious leaders in the U.S., coming together to speak out against the Trump administration’s looming attacks on democracy, legal equality, and dignity.

With this example of specific, targeted protest, clergy are taking the lead in demonstrating how a Trump administration can be battled. As Butler said during the march: “We will not submit ourselves to leadership that defies the values and very integrity of this nation. Instead, we will lead this nation together.”

Happening Now: #interfaith clergy and impacted persons lead #moralaction outside @SenateMajLdr office. #stopsessions #moralrevival pic.twitter.com/5AKnHFaWub

— Repairers of the Breach (@BRepairers) January 9, 2017

(Melissa McEwan contributed to this article.)