Common Ground
By: Lauren Webber
Shiloh Tabernacle gathers to demonstrate their faith and proclamations over the nation.
Photo by: Lauren Webber
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants citizens the freedom of speech and assembly among others. This fundamental practice of protests and demonstrations, of both support and disagreement, has been a staple of American democracy since its foundation. The desire to gather and publicly express shared ideas in the name of change, distaste, celebration or grief has been a substantial political device this year despite being the controversial exception to the social distancing regulations nationwide.
Change starts intrinsically and begins to seep outward. Internal revelations, beliefs and ideas are often worn on the skin and countenance like stickers on the bumper of a car. The external revolutions begin in homes, workplaces and communities before they expand to counties, states and nations. These only take place after the internal decision to make a change has been intrinsically rooted in knowledge and passion. Rancho Cucamonga has prided itself in beliefs across all spectrums and has displayed this inclusivity on the northwest corner of Day Creek Blvd. and Foothill Blvd., nestled beneath palm trees and street lights.
The historic city beams with esteemed schools, colleges and institutes, churches and temples, and individuals of all creeds and convictions. This bustling corner, situated outside of the Victoria Gardens shopping mall and the Foothill Blvd. exit off Calif. Interstate 15 has been the meeting grounds for a plethora of demonstrations this year. Passersby may witness the usual sign holders:
"Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life."
The occasional honk of agreement and a head nod of approval is often the extent of these interactions between passersby and demonstrators. One could count these demonstrators on a single hand. In 2020 though, this corner has been host to many Black Lives Matter demonstrations, pro-Trump rallies, anti-mask protestors and many others. On a Tuesday evening, as the sun set over the 17th of November, I saw a different crowd encompassing that same location. There was a gentle, yet powerful, essence escaping their megaphones and guitar amps. The cries and signs emanating from that spot usually mirrored the strong, incessant traffic that blares by, car horns silencing the orchestra of voices a few feet away.
I approached the group and glanced about the mask-less smiles, a refreshing yet concerning scene. The hope rooted in the joyous praises and shouts seemed nearly as contagious as the virus itself, so I stood back and watched. I was met by Ruth Hillary, a medical doctor from the Philippines who came to the United States in search of our freedom. She boasted of her birthday sharing the same date as the U.S. Independence Day and declared with a beaming spirit:
"There's no way you can love the country and hate the people."
Ruth Hillary belongs to Shiloh Tabernacle Church in Rancho Cucamonga and pastors, alongside her husband Puredi Hillary. Puredi Hillary stated that their church had been gathered since about two o'clock that afternoon and had been doing so since the preceding Saturday. Ruth Hillary commented that their church felt the Lord had instructed them to gather there for 21 days:
"We want to come to a place where we can pray and stop all this civil unrest and chaos of our country."
Ruth Hillary expressed her disdain in how individuals are being "Indoctrinated that this country is evil."
She exclaimed that her political perspective gazes past personality and focuses on policy. The day that I had met with them, no Trump signs were present, but Ruth Hillary and others adorned themselves in American flag and "Make America Great Again" hats. Signs surrounded them displaying patriotic statements and Biblical scripture. Multiple American flags and one of their faith danced in the slight autumn breeze.
In a previous Black Lives Matter demonstration, the Hillarys and their team said to have gathered amongst politically opposing activists and prayed with and for them. True activism is rooted in the shared fervor for change and healing, even though the standard of that change may vary among spiritualities and political affiliation. Regardless one's predisposition and political leanings or religious convictions, the beauty within healthy partisanship and religious freedom illuminates unity.
Ruth Hillary recalled a Biblical passage where Daniel, a servant of God, was thrown into a den of lions for refusing to worship another god. As he vulnerably sat as a meal, no lion took advantage or harmed him. He was then freed from the den and the king who threw him in knew God because of it. Daniel 6:22 of the Holy Bible captures Daniel sharing:
"'My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him.'"
Ruth Hillary expressed her concerns with the leftist media's muzzle on opposing views. She believes that their obedience, servanthood and praises act as a muzzle as well, one clamping the feigns of their claimed enemy as she cried:
"The mouths of lions are being shut."
Divisive ploys and distractions have diminished reconciliation and community. Ruth Hillary declared: "The lies become truth."
The red and blue of Republicans and Democrats can be blinding, overshadowing the intricate and necessary shades across all ideologies. Understanding that within each primary color exists hues and tones that can be manipulated to make nearly innumerable more colors allows us to view the vividly painted corner as a priceless depiction of the First Amendment. That small, paved slab of concrete off Day Creek and Foothill has been the stage for voices representing various factions, ideas and movements that illustrate the change and inclusivity of an all-encompassing, passionate community.