Kaji Douša facts for kids

Kaji Spellman Douša (born August 22) is an American pastor and activist. She is known for her work helping immigrants and fighting for people's rights. She was the chair of a group called the New Sanctuary Coalition NYC, which helps immigrants in New York City.

Early Life and Education

Kaji Douša was born in the United States. Her parents, Karen and A.B. Spellman, were civil rights activists, which means they worked to make sure everyone was treated fairly. She is the younger of their two children and has a half-brother named Malcolm Spellman.

For her education, Douša went to two famous universities. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After that, she went to Yale Divinity School to study religion and earned a Master of Divinity degree. From 2018 to 2020, she was the president of the alumni board at Yale Divinity School.

A Leader in the Church

Pastor Douša (pronounced “doe-sha”) is the senior pastor at the Park Avenue Christian Church in Manhattan, New York. Her church has a long history, and she is the first woman to ever hold this top position in its 212-year history.

As a pastor, she leads her church community and speaks out on important issues. She believes in using her position to help create a more just and fair world for everyone.

Fighting for Justice

Kaji Douša is a well-known activist who stands up for what she believes in. She has been involved in many efforts to protect people's rights and safety.

Supporting Social Change

In the summer of 2020, many people across the country protested after the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Pastor Douša helped lead many of these marches and rallies in New York City.

During this time, she and other Black women who are also church leaders created a new group called Daughters 4 Justice (D4J). The group's goal is to work with city leaders and the police to make New York City safer for everyone. They believe that if a city is safe for Black children, it will be a safe place for all people.

Helping Immigrants at the Border

Pastor Douša has also worked to help immigrants. In 2017, she protested when immigrants were being held by the government.

In January 2019, she was returning to the U.S. after helping migrants in Tijuana, Mexico. When she reached the border crossing in San Diego, California, agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped her for questioning.

Later, she said she was placed on a government watch list with over 50 other people who were helping migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. She also said her special pass for quick border crossing, called a SENTRI pass, was unfairly taken away.

The Lawsuit Against the Government

Because of what happened at the border, Pastor Douša decided to take legal action. In July 2019, she filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security.

The lawsuit, called Douša v. U.S., stated that the government had violated her rights. She argued that her rights under the First Amendment (which protects freedom of speech and religion) and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act had been broken.

Many people supported her. Over 850 religious leaders from around the country signed a letter to show their support for her case. In March 2023, Kaji Douša won her civil rights lawsuit against the federal government.