A Statement from the General Secretary of GCORR
August 14, 2025
On August 11, 2025, President Trump declared “Liberation Day” for Washington, D.C., describing the city as overwhelmed by crime and now under his direct control. This is not liberation; it is the exercise of power. From a Christian perspective rooted in our faith, true liberation looks very different.
True liberation stands with those who are hurting—the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized. It lifts people up rather than pushing them down. The gospel calls us to care for the vulnerable, to choose compassion over control, and justice over judgment. What is being framed as “liberation” here feels much more like punishment for those already struggling.
This declaration sends a troubling message: that poverty is a crime and that those barely scraping by deserve to be controlled rather than supported. It does not ask the more urgent questions: why do these inequities exist in the first place, and what systems must be changed to create a truly fair and compassionate society? These questions cannot be separated from the reality of racial injustice in our nation. In the United States, communities of color are disproportionately impacted by poverty, over-policing, and the criminalization of daily life. This is not accidental; it is the result of historic and systemic racism that continues to shape our neighborhoods, our policies, and our future.
This week, the staff of GCORR gathered in Los Angeles and joined in a solidarity march and rally for immigration rights and justice. Standing alongside advocates, organizers, and faith leaders reminded me that we are not only resisting unjust policies but also confronting forces of evil that disguise themselves in the language of liberation. Such experiences reaffirm our mission: to build a Church and a world where racial equity and justice are not ideals to be debated, but realities to be lived.
At GCORR, our mission is rooted in justice. Every person is made in the image of God and carries inherent dignity. We are called to challenge systems, policies, and practices that push communities—especially communities of color—to the margins. This political move reinforces exclusion and deepens harm. As people of faith, we cannot remain silent in the face of such actions.
What we are witnessing is more than politics; it is a distortion of the gospel. White Christian nationalism misuses our faith to justify control and oppression. We know better. We know that liberation is not about the powerful tightening their grip—it is about the oppressed being set free. True liberation is inseparable from racial justice. When we work to dismantle racism, we are not engaging in a separate cause; we are living out the gospel imperative to set the captives free.
Church, this is the moment to speak with moral courage. We must hold fast to a vision of liberation grounded in love, justice, and equity. As followers of Christ, our calling is clear: to protect the vulnerable, to challenge racial injustice wherever it appears, and to build a world where all people are treated with dignity.
Let us remember: the liberation we seek is not rooted in control, but in compassion. It is time to lead with that truth.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.
- Luke 4:18
Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo
General Secretary
General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR)