Despite a break-in at his D.C. church, the pastor contends that the deployment of the National Guard is unwarranted.
In the heart of Washington, D.C., the presence of National Guard troops on the streets has sparked concern among members of the East Washington Heights Baptist Church. Reverend Kip Banks, the church's pastor for over two decades, has expressed his concerns about the potential targeting of young Black men by law enforcement.
Reverend Banks believes that the way of peace and love, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ, is the key to combating crime, rather than military occupation. He has been vocal about his views, speaking with other pastors in cities like Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles, who share similar concerns about the use of military forces to police communities.
However, President Trump declared a "crime emergency" in the District of Columbia on Aug. 11 and deployed National Guard troops to patrol the city's streets. This move was made despite a decrease in crime, with carjackings down by 87% and crime overall down 15%, according to Mayor Muriel Bowser.
The deployment has resulted in hundreds of arrests, and both the president and the mayor claim that crime has significantly decreased since the troops were deployed. Yet, the members of the East Washington Heights Baptist Church do not feel safer with the presence of National Guard troops.
The church itself has not been immune to crime. A few years earlier, someone broke into the church and stole communion wafers while vandalizing the building. More recently, in March this year, thieves took laptops from the church. Over the past year, the congregation has noticed a decrease in crime, particularly murders, in the city.
Reverend Banks argues that the deployment of National Guard troops hinders the creation of a "beloved community" where all people are loved and cared for, regardless of background or colour. He believes that the federal dollars spent on the deployment could be better spent elsewhere.
The deployment of National Guard troops has also affected lifestyles in the neighbourhood around the church. Fear of encountering National Guard troops has led to changes in daily activities, such as dining out and ordering food delivery.
As the debate over the presence of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. continues, Reverend Banks and his congregation will continue to advocate for a more loving and peaceful approach to combating crime.
