FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Byron Kimball, byron@gomixte.com, (619) 732-0789 ext. 297

On-Site Contact: Rick Chamiec-Case

March 19: Sojourners and Coalition of Faith-based Organizations Call on Congress to Defend Children and Families from Attacks on Rights
  • Speakers include Rev. Leslie Tune, Chief Operating Officer of the (National Council of Churches), Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie (National Council of Churches of Christ), Jeanné Lewis (Faith in Public Life), Rabbi Jonah Pesner (Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Rev. Marvin Silver (Children's Defense Fund), Sandy Ovalle (Sojourners), Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould (Faith in Action International) and Maggie Siddiqi (Interfaith Alliance)
  • Non-partisan and multi-faith coalition continue to convene weekly in March, and possibly longer, until demands met

Washington, DC, March 17, 2025 – On Wednesday March 19th, a multi-faith coalition led by Sojourners and partners in the Washington Interfaith Staff Community (WISC), will again convene to call on Congress to exhibit greater moral courage in responding to the Trump Administration's assault upon our democracy. This week's vigil will focus on defending the rights of children and families, especially in the wake of devastating cuts to programs vital to the well-being of America's children, including Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, and the Department of Education.

The vigil will be hosted from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. EST at the Senate East Front, Grassy Area 8,

bounded by Constitution Ave NE and First St NE, with a virtual livestream to be hosted on YouTube.

Speakers at this week's vigil will include: Sandy Ovalle, Senior Director of Campaigns and MObilizing, Sojourners; Rev. Leslie Tune, Chief Operating Officer of the National Council of Churches*;* Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ; Jeaneé Lewis, CEO of Faith in Public Life; Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rev. Marvin Silver, Director of Leadership Development & Organizing at Children's Defense Fund; Maggie Siddiqi, Senior Fellow of Interfaith Alliance and Reverend Dr. Cassandra Gould, Senior Strategist for Faith in Action International.

"Children and their families are facing tremendous threats to their health, their happiness and even their ability to access an education," said Sandy Ovalle, Senior Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing at Sojourners. "The late Nelson Mandela reminded us that the true test of a society’s character was seen in how it treats its children. Our own faith teachers admonish us for mistreating or ignoring those in the most vulnerable circumstances. Congress must intervene and refuse to accept attacks upon funding for the Department of Education, USAID, Medicare and other programs that support children and families."

"Our faith traditions teach us that balance and harmony are part of the design of God's creation. This wisdom is reflected in our country's government, through Congress providing intentional checks and balances to the Executive Branch. The president and his appointees are showing a blatant disdain for the rule of law, and congressional representatives are not standing in their constitutional authority to ensure his accountability, which is necessary for the protection of all of us," said Jeanné Lewis, CEO of Faith in Public Life. "To each member of Congress, we exhort you to remember the truths of your faith traditions in this moment and stand courageously to protect the common good. Do not cede your power to authoritarian overreach, but stand with us in faith to uphold your responsibility of ensuring all voices are represented in our political process."

“Guided by our Jewish values, the Reform Jewish Movement maintains a sacred commitment to the protection of the orphan, the widow, and the stranger. We are deeply concerned by the Trump administration’s escalating attacks on democracy and continued targeting of critical programs that serve children and families. I am proud to join our interfaith partners to urge Congress to stand up for vulnerable communities and advance the principles of democracy, justice, and rule of law that have long been sources of strength for our nation," said Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Co-sponsors include the following faith-based organizations, denominations and religious bodies. A full list of organizations involved, including logos and quotes, may be found here:

  • Washington Interfaith Staff Community (WISC)
  • Sojourners
  • American Friends Service Committee
  • Baptist Joint Committee
  • Bread for the World
  • Children’s Defense Fund
  • Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
  • Creation Justice Ministries
  • Episcopal Church
  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
  • Faith in Public Life
  • Franciscan Action Network
  • Friends Committee on National Legislation
  • General Board of Church and Society UM
  • Georgetown University: Center for Faith and Justice
  • Interfaith Alliance
  • Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
  • National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
  • National Council of Churches
  • National Council of Jewish Women, Inc.
  • National Religious Campaign Against Torture
  • Religious Action Center Reformed Judaism
  • Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc.
  • Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Justice Team
  • Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice
  • United Church of Christ

Interviews with organizations involved in these efforts, including Sojourners, may be requested by contacting Byron Kimball at byron@gomixte.com.

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Sojourners is a Christian organization committed to religious pluralism and inspiring and equipping faith-based campaigns, policy advocacy, and grassroots mobilizations to build and strengthen movements for social justice and peace. To access Sojourners' digital magazine, get up-to-date information on actions you can take, explore organizing materials, and join the Sojourners community visit www.sojo.net