MEDIA ADVISORY for TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 2014 – Philly Faith Communities to “Pray-In” for School Funding Outside Governor’s Debate
***7:30AM-9AM, October 1, 1555 Hamilton St, Philadelphia, PA (outside) ***
Contact: Margaret Ernst, POWER, 609.577.6430 mernst11@powerphiladelphia.org
Diverse Clergy, Lay Leaders to Lead Prayers for Education Funding as Governor Corbett and Tom Wolf Debate; Enon Tabernacle’s Rev. Waller to speak in support of campaign for Full, Fair Funding Formula; Speakers will join from several local activist organizations
Philadelphia, PA– On Wednesday at 7:30AM, Philadelphia clergy and lay leaders from the interfaith organization POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild) will gather for a “Pray-In” to draw attention to the moral injustice of deep funding cuts to Philadelphia public schools and school districts throughout Pennsylvania.
While Corbett and Wolf meet inside KYW studios for “Breakfast with the Candidates” – this season’s second Gubernatorial debate – Philadelphia clergy and hundreds of people of faith will pray outside for for moral leadership from both candidates and emphasize the sacredness of voting. Rev. Alyn Waller, senior pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, will lead a faith reflection. There will also be speakers on the subject of school funding and the school-to-prison pipeline from local activist organizations Decarcerate PA and the Philadelphia Student Union.
As the Philadelphia Inquirer recently reported, learning in Philadelphia public schools is being compromised because of overcrowded classes and not enough resources. Since 2011, dramatic cuts to school funding at the state level have disproportionately affected students of color and poor students across the state of Pennsylvania. These inequalities conflict with the shared values of POWER congregations that all children are made in the image of God and deserve the chance to live into their full potential.
POWER is leading a non-partisan voter engagement campaign in which members of congregations throughout the city are leading canvasses and phone banks to talk with voters about the importance of a Full, Fair Funding Formula that will ensure all Pennsylvania public school students have the resources they need to thrive. POWER will build on its spring 2014 efforts wherein they reached out to 50,000 voters in Philadelphia.
Details:
What: Mass Prayer Vigil led by clergy and lay people from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities across Philadelphia; singing, praying, and reflections on the need for long-term solutions for Pennsylvania public school funding simultaneous with KYW’s “Breakfast with the Candidates.”
Who: Rev. Alyn Waller, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
Rabbi Eli Freedman, Congregation Rodeph Shalom
Imam Abdul-Halim Hassan, Masjidullah, Inc
Rev. Mark Tyler, Mother Bethel A.M.E
Hakim Ali, Decarcerate PA
Student Leader from Philadelphia Student Union
Lay leaders from diverse Philadelphia faith communities
When: Wednesday, Oct. 1st, from 7:30AM-9AM ET Where: 1555 Hamilton St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
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About POWER: POWER represents congregations from across the Philadelphia region, bringing people together across the lines of race, faith, income level and neighborhood — lines which have historically kept our city and state divided. POWER is committed to the work of bringing about justice here and now and seeks to exercise power in the public arena by strengthening and mobilizing our networks, so that the needs and priorities of all Philadelphians are reflected in the systems and policies that shape our city. POWER is nonpartisan and is not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office. Learn more at www.powerphiladelphia.org.
