Media Advisories and Press Releases

Thoughts and prayers are absolutely needed in response to the Parkland, Florida school shooting with 17 students and teachers dead, 14 others wounded, and countless numbers of people again traumatized. These horrific murders are just latest in a long string of mass shootings that have happened over the past couple of years. 5 of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in modern American history have happened in the last 26 months. But praying is not enough; and its way past time to turn prayers into action. Action means to take responsibility. And responsibility must be called out. I believe the National Rifle Association and their gun running sponsors are responsible for the death of the Florida children and teachers. I believe all those elected officials who refuse to support the common-sense gun safety laws that the vast majority of the American people support are responsible for the death of those killed on Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday. I believe that elected officials who are too cowardly to ban the assault weapons that are used only to kill mass numbers of people and not to protect or hunt--a ban which a majority of Americans also support—are also responsible for this week’s brutal killings. And I believe that we should call our ourselves and our churches to uphold life by holding their elected officials responsible and accountable for this extreme and senseless gun violence that no other country in the developed world has. This is not a political issue, but a moral crisis that must call out the nation literally to repentance—which means to turn around.  So help us God.

More than 80 diverse faith leaders today released a declaration calling on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection between racism and poverty. 

The Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty, which was sent to members of Congress before last night’s State of the Union address, appeals to all people, especially Christians, to actively work against racism and poverty. It notes that the “body of Christ is perhaps the most diverse racial community in the world.” The leaders call on political leaders from both parties to develop legislative agendas that will reduce racism and poverty. They assert that “[r]acism is systematic and structural in America and harms people of color in very specific, measurable, and tangible ways.” 

Christian leaders from all the families of U.S. Christianity expressed concern that Congress’ passage of the tax bill will be followed by efforts to cut programs and support for people living in poverty. Below are statements from leaders of the Circle of Protection. The statements follow a letter the Circle of Protection sent to members of Congress recently, which reads in part: 

“We oppose cutting low-income programs to pay for tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy. Tax reform must be undertaken in such a way as to strengthen and empower low and moderate-income families and small businesses.”  

As Christian leaders, our concern is always about how legislation impacts the poor and most vulnerable. We will continue to pray, mobilize, and advocate on behalf of our neighbors in poverty."

National faith leaders were arrested by Capitol Police during a nonviolent, faith-based civil disobedience action in response to the proposed tax bill. Faith leaders publicly read the Bible and prayed for the nation in the Hart Senate Office Building Atrium. The treatment of poor and vulnerable people is lifted up in the Bible more than 2,000 times. According to Pew Research, 91% of the members of Congress profess to be Christian. Today’s action served to remind senators of their biblical responsibility to the poor and to raise the nation’s moral conscience to stop the attack on society’s most vulnerable people.

Jim Wallis, President and Founder of Sojourners, released the following statement today on the Republican tax plan.

As Christians we are told by Jesus that we will be judged not by our profit margins, our corporate tax rates, or our repeal of healthcare, but how we treat the poor, the sick, and the most vulnerable in society. The Republican tax bill that passed the House of Representatives has failed that moral test on all accounts.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contacts:  Michael Mershon, Sojourners, (202) 745-4654, mmershon@sojo.net  

                  Chris Ford, Bread for the World, (202) 688-1077, cford@bread.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                 

Contact: Michael Mershon

               mmershon@sojo.net

               202-745-4654                                                                           

July 25, 2017 

STATEMENT BY JIM WALLIS ON HEALTH CARE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    

Contact:        Jazmine Steele

                      jsteele@sojo.net

                      202-681-9766

May 23, 2017

SOJOURNERS PRESIDENT JIM WALLIS ON TRUMP’S UNBIBLICAL BUDGET: “WHAT WOULD JESUS CUT?”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael Mershon, Director of Advocacy and Communications

Phone: 202-745-4654

Email: mmershon@sojo.net 

March 29, 2017

Today, a diverse group of Christian leaders held a press conference and prayer vigil on Capitol Hill to protest proposed legislation that would disproportionally harm poor and vulnerable people. The leaders are members of the Circle of Protection, a broad coalition from all the families of U.S. Christianity who have come together around the biblical mandate to protect poor people