George Romney crossed his faith and his party. But Romney’s choice to march was about far more than Trump. , saying he will endorse anyone with a pulse. At another point, they decided to halt missionary efforts in Africa out of fear the efforts would raise questions at home. What’s more, international growth was continually stymied by the church’s stance. Once again, change on the ground is forcing the hand of the LDS leadership. As the newly elected governor of Michigan, George Romney marched for civil rights and supported marches led by the Reverend Martin Luther King … But they remained adamant that too much equality risked problematic racial mixing. tweeted that he was going to campaign against her. They were as concerned with looting as racial violence in the wake of nationwide demonstrations after Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody. The George Floyd murder is abhorrent. , saying he will endorse anyone with a pulse. Romney, however, not only ignored this warning, but also became even more dedicated to the cause. “Peaceful protests underscore the urgency of addressing injustices. Gov. "He's an American patriot. While Mitt Romney proudly tweeted a photo of his father’s march in advance of his own and there are parallels between the two men, there is a major difference: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which they were both prominent and committed members, has changed its position on racial equality dramatically in the intervening five decades. It remains an open question, however, as to how the Mormon tradition will evolve in the next 50 years. George Romney (R), participating in a civil rights march in the suburbs of Detroit in the late 1960’s. Although he belonged to a church that did not allow black people in its lay clergy, Romney's hardscrabble background and subsequent life experiences led (R-Alaska), one of the caucus's most moderate members, told reporters on Thursday that she was "struggling" about the decision of whether or not to support Trump in the upcoming November election. By the time George Romney marched for civil rights, church leaders had softened their official opposition to the civil rights movement. George Romney, at a suburban Detroit civil rights march, has … Martin Luther King Jr. of being communist pawns. Several prominent officials even accused protesters like the Rev. Discussion of news topics with a point of view, including narratives by individuals regarding their own experiences, disapproval of Trump clearing Lafayette Square. The president later tweeted that he was going to campaign against her, saying he will endorse anyone with a pulse. ", This is my father, George Romney, participating in a Civil Rights march in the Detroit suburbs during the late 1960s-"Force alone will not eliminate riots," he said. The president later tweeted that he was going to campaign against her, saying he will endorse anyone with a pulse. At one point, they staved off an NAACP-sponsored march around Temple Square in Salt Lake City during their semiannual general conference only by promising to publicly read a statement supporting a moderate form of civil rights. But there are signs of change — although they are found more among the laity than the church leadership. © The Hill Mitt Romney invokes late father during the Civil Rights Movement amid protests Republican Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah) shared a photo on Saturday of his … Poll shows Biden leading Trump, tight House race in key Nebraska district, Poll: Biden neck and neck with Trump in Florida, Arizona, Democrats sense momentum for expanding child tax credit, Federal judge shoots down Texas proclamation allowing one ballot drop-off location per county, Nine people who attended Trump rally in Minnesota contracted coronavirus, Schiff: If Trump wanted more infections 'would he be doing anything different? In fact, another apostle, Ezra Taft Benson, became the preferred vice presidential candidate for the Independent Party ticket that year headed by former Alabama governor George Wallace, who broke from the Democratic Party over its support of civil rights. Increasing numbers of Mormons are willing to speak out against the systemic racism that dominates society. Republican Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyPoll shows Biden leading Trump, tight House race in key Nebraska district Poll: Biden neck and neck with Trump in Florida, Arizona Democrats sense momentum for expanding child tax credit MORE (Utah) shared a photo on Saturday of his father, former Michigan Gov. He even noted that the presidents who were “very active in the Negro cause,” including Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, and had gone “contrary to the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith” had suffered the “somber” fate of assassination. It was the latest in a string of acts of defiance against President Trump, including his vote to convict Trump on an impeachment charge in February, his disapproval of Trump clearing Lafayette Square for a photo op at St. John’s Episcopal Church last week and his admission that he would not vote for Trump’s reelection in November. Romney supported the American Civil Rights Movement while governor. Later, President Richard Nixon even fired George Romney as secretary of Housing and Urban Development because of his zeal for enforcing open housing laws. In 1964, after Romney became known for his support of civil rights measures, Delbert L. Stapley, an apostle (one of the 15 leaders of the faith), sent him a letter that expressed displeasure for the governor’s political views. The current church president’s comments on the George Floyd protests reflected this mixed progress. Mitt only had to cross his party. The Republican senator from Utah was continuing a family tradition of strongly supporting civil rights, even when it was politically disadvantageous. He was in the early stages of planning his own presidential run, and his actions stood in stark contrast to a Republican Party that was increasingly reaching out to white Southerners on issues of race. 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