Churches urge politicians to act in Postville
Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2008
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Representatives of 20 churches have urged politicians to take action in Postville, where they say a humanitarian crisis is under way due to fallout from a raid at a kosher slaughterhouse.
In a letter sent Tuesday, the leaders of churches in Postville and Decorah asked Gov. Chet Culver, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, U.S. Sens. Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley, and U.S. Reps. Bruce Braley and Tom Latham to take action.
"There is a humanitarian crisis in Iowa, with as many as 350-500 people hungry, jobless and homeless as winter sets," the letter reads. "... The people of Postville and surrounding communities have responded generously and courageously, but more specialized assistance will be required to face and rise above the crisis."
The letter from Decorah Area Faith Coalition, representing 17 churches in Decorah, and three Postville churches said volunteers have assisted hundreds of workers and their families who have been affected by problems at the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant. The plant has struggled to operate since nearly 400 workers were arrested in a May 12 immigration raid, and recent financial problems recently forced the company to close the plant.
The letter requests that political leaders assess the situation and offer government help.
"The Postville situation continues to deteriorate and it's affecting the whole four-county region," the Rev. Carol Kress, of First United Methodist Church in Decorah, said in an interview.
Kress said local charities and churches had pitched in as best they could, finding shelter and food for workers, at a cost of about $100 per worker a week. But she said their efforts were taxing and that there's a belief in the community that the government could do much more to help.
"We're amazed by the lack of attention that this situation's been given," Kress said. "I'm kind of stunned that none of them have really been here since the raid happened, in May."
Telephone calls to Culver's office and to Agriprocessors chief executive officer Bernard Feldman for comment were not immediately returned.
The company had also operated a plant near Gordon, Neb. It has closed because of the company's financial problems.
In a letter sent Tuesday, the leaders of churches in Postville and Decorah asked Gov. Chet Culver, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, U.S. Sens. Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley, and U.S. Reps. Bruce Braley and Tom Latham to take action.
"There is a humanitarian crisis in Iowa, with as many as 350-500 people hungry, jobless and homeless as winter sets," the letter reads. "... The people of Postville and surrounding communities have responded generously and courageously, but more specialized assistance will be required to face and rise above the crisis."
The letter from Decorah Area Faith Coalition, representing 17 churches in Decorah, and three Postville churches said volunteers have assisted hundreds of workers and their families who have been affected by problems at the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant. The plant has struggled to operate since nearly 400 workers were arrested in a May 12 immigration raid, and recent financial problems recently forced the company to close the plant.
The letter requests that political leaders assess the situation and offer government help.
"The Postville situation continues to deteriorate and it's affecting the whole four-county region," the Rev. Carol Kress, of First United Methodist Church in Decorah, said in an interview.
Kress said local charities and churches had pitched in as best they could, finding shelter and food for workers, at a cost of about $100 per worker a week. But she said their efforts were taxing and that there's a belief in the community that the government could do much more to help.
"We're amazed by the lack of attention that this situation's been given," Kress said. "I'm kind of stunned that none of them have really been here since the raid happened, in May."
Telephone calls to Culver's office and to Agriprocessors chief executive officer Bernard Feldman for comment were not immediately returned.
The company had also operated a plant near Gordon, Neb. It has closed because of the company's financial problems.
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No Mas wrote on Nov 27, 2008 8:55 AM:
A Christian wrote on Nov 27, 2008 1:47 AM:
No Mas wrote on Nov 26, 2008 11:52 PM:
Grant wrote on Nov 26, 2008 3:32 PM:
Skip wrote on Nov 26, 2008 2:48 PM:
This is why our society is crumbling, our faith is put in the wrong places!!!! "