Faith leaders call on R.I. legislators to remember the needy

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PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty's Annual Fighting Poverty with Faith Vigil occurred this year on Jan. 7 and served as a powerful reminder of the collective effort needed to address poverty in the state.

The event brought together clergy and activists from diverse faith traditions, reinforcing the importance of interfaith collaboration in advocating for justice and equity in Rhode Island. By joining hands across religious and cultural lines in a march to and gathering at the Rhode Island State House, attendees demonstrated their shared commitment to uplifting those in need, particularly with respect to the housing crisis facing hundreds of Rhode Islanders.

As House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi put it: “We can do all the programming we want, but if a child doesn’t have a safe place to go home to, what does it matter?” Rep. Shekarchi also invoked the legacy and values of the late President Jimmy Carter, reenforcing the need for focused and consistent action at both the local and the state level to assure equity in housing for all.

“Working families should be able to live where they work,” he stated matter-of-factly.

The Rev. Carl Jefferson, pastor of the Life Change Christian Church in Providence, echoed Shekarchi’s sentiments with a rousing speech about the duty of faith communities to show up in material and measurable ways for those experiencing homelessness in the Rhode Island community.

“Rhode Island is ranked sixth highest in the nation for people per capita experiencing homelessness,” said Jefferson. “The scripture says, in Isaiah 10: ‘woe unto those who legislate evil, make decrees and deprive those of their rights.’ Woe unto us, Rhode Island. We can, we shall, and we will do better.

“Like Frederick Douglass said,” he added to rousing cheers, “‘I could pray and pray for freedom, but until I picked up my feet and walked’ that's when prayer happened. We can't just pray, now it's time to act."

The Coalition urged lawmakers to continue positive momentum in the state and push for policies that create lasting change in the realms of education, housing and health care. By mobilizing faith communities and individuals who care deeply about social justice, the Vigil underscored the importance of ongoing advocacy at the local and state levels and served as a call to action for Rhode Islanders to support policies that prioritize the well-being of the most vulnerable members of the community.

EMMA NEWBERY (enewbery@jewishallianceri.org) is a staff writer and podcast host for Jewish Rhode Island.