First AME Church Of Los Angeles Prays For Louisiana Residents In
Wake Of Worst Oil Spill In History
Los Angeles, CA — First AME Church of Los Angeles joined the nation in prayer on Sunday, May 30, 2010, at the 10:00 AM Service with prayers for the residents of the State of Louisiana in the wake of the worst oil spill in history.
FAME's senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. John J. Hunter led the congregation in a special prayer for the workers who were killed when BP's Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded off the Louisiana coast April 20, starting the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the residents of the Gulf Coast Region and the families of the 11 men killed in the Gulf rig explosion,'' Hunter said.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson urged parishioners at First AME Church of Los Angeles to avoid buying British Petroleum products to protest failed efforts to contain the oil spill that has defiled Louisiana's wetlands and the coasts of other states bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
"Protect the earth, now. Boycott BP, now,'' Jackson told the congregation during a special prayer service for residents and others affected by the spill. "Don't pay the bill for the spill.'' Jackson was joined by United States Congresswoman Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, who said those responsible for the spill are destroying the Gulf Coast and should face criminal prosecution.
They stood at the pulpit as the pastor led a prayer for the tens of thousands of people in the gulf who are losing their livelihoods.
"And Lord, we don't even know yet what the long-lasting impact will be. In Jesus' name, God, we ask that you encourage them and let them know they're not by themselves," prayed the Rev. Dr. John J. Hunter, First AME Church's senior pastor.
They also asked that officials in charge of the cleanup receive the wisdom to end this environmental catastrophe.
United States Congresswoman Maxine Waters said “This disaster is already having a devastating impact on the economy of the Gulf Coast region and the way of life of many of its residents. Many of these residents are still trying to recover from Hurricane Katrina, and the BP disaster has doubled their sorrows. During a recent trip to New Orleans, I was particularly struck by the stories of the minority fishermen and small port business owners along the Gulf Coast.”
The Obama administration has said it is doing all it can to minimize the damage.
California State Assemblyman Mike Davis who was also in attendance said at a press conference after the services, “It is important that there be some accountability for oil spills, the tax payers can not be held responsible when it is difficult to hold oil companies responsible for participation in an oil severance fee to assist our state’s general fund”.
On Wednesday, BP poured mud into the leak in an effort to plug it. If that and other measures don't work, it could take months before other holes could be drilled to drain the oil and stop the leak. Witnesses are reporting gobs of petroleum washing up on the coast, killing wildlife and ruining beaches.
