Royal Wedding preacher leads march against Trump's 'America First' agenda

BIshop Michael Curry - wiki image

US Bishop Rt Rev Michael Curry, the most senior figure in the American Episcopal Church, led a march protesting against President Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda in Wasgington on Thursday.

Bishop Curry told an audience at the National City Christian Church in Washington: "Love your neighbour. That's why we're here.

"Love the neighbour you like and love the neighbour you don't like. Love the neighbour you agree with and the neighbour you don't agree with.

"Love your Democrat neighbour, your Republican neighbour. Your black neighbour and your white neighbour, your Anglo neighbour, your Latino, your LGBTQ neighbour."

More than 2,000 people attended the service. Afterwards a procession of clergy and people silently carried candles from the church to Lafayette Square opposite the White House.

Leaders formed a prayer circle and took turns to read a declaration which said: "We believe two things are at stake: the soul of the nation, and the integrity of faith… We reject 'America First' as a theological heresy for followers of Christ. While we share a patriotic love for our country, we reject xenophobic or ethnic nationalism that places one nation over others as a political goal.

"We reject the resurgence of white nationalism and racism in our nation on many fronts, including the highest levels of political leadership."

The declaration calls upon Christians to reject the "growing attacks on immigrants and refugees who are being made into cultural and political targets."