“We stand with the poor and the oppressed. We stand for peace. We stand for justice,” said Sister Julia Walsh to WKBT-News 8 in the outlet's report of the protest, "No Blood for Oil," held Sunday, Jan. 11, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
The peaceful demonstration, one of hundreds held nationwide, was attended by FSPA sisters, affiliates and partners in mission. Voices and signs were raised against ICE enforcement and political developments in Venezuela, following the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis and actions by the United States to both control Venezuela's oil industry and influence the country's governance.
"The disrespect that's going on — and the grabbing of Venezuelan oil — is not right, said Sister Helen Elsbernd.
Watch the news8000 report, "Local protesters gather on Sunday for La Crosse's 'no blood for oil' protest and Sparta's 'ICE out' protest," that includes coverage of the "ICE Out" demonstration in Sparta, Wisconsin, below.
FSPA Response
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration stand with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, which represents more than 180 congregations of Catholic Sisters, with deep concern for the people of Venezuela. Read our full response here.
Pictured above: Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Michele Pettit, Helen Elsbernd and Julia Walsh.