Local Faith Leaders Call for Justice, Equity, and Inclusion in Sarasota

Rev. Dr. Wes Bixby, Pastor of First Congregational UCC, along with leaders from diverse faith communities, has co-authored two powerful opinion columns published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, calling for justice, equity, and solidarity.

📖 A Call to Solidarity: Towards Positive Peace (January 30) (Read as PDF) – This column challenges harmful policies targeting LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrant communities, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It calls on Sarasota to reject exclusion and embrace true peace—one built on justice, dignity, and compassion.

📖 Black History Month Message (February 19) (Read as PDF)– This piece honors Black history as an essential part of American history and includes a call to action. It highlights the ongoing struggles for racial justice, the importance of acknowledging the past, and the moral imperative to build a more equitable future.

Together, these statements affirm that peace is not the absence of tension but the presence of justice. We invite the Sarasota community to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized and work toward a future rooted in inclusion and compassion.