One Year before Election ’08, Clergy Declare Ohio a “Political Sleaze-Free Zone”

***PRESS CONFERENCES THURSDAY***

Monday, November 05, 2007

(Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio) – One year before the 2008 elections, We Believe Ohio, a statewide coalition of religious leaders, will announce a campaign calling on all candidates for public office to run clean, positive campaigns that focus on common good issues that matter most to the people of Ohio. This Thursday, November 8, 2007, in Cleveland and Columbus, interfaith clergy will declare Ohio a “Political Sleaze-Free Zone.” Even before the campaign has kicked-off, the We Believe Ohio petition declaring Ohio a “Political Sleaze-Free Zone” has gathered hundreds of signatures.

WHAT: We Believe Ohio “Political Sleaze-Free Zone” Campaign Kick-Off Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday, November 8

WHERE: First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad Street, Columbus – 11 AM
AND
First United Methodist Church, 3000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland – 1 PM
(Across the street from the Board of Elections)

WHO:
Columbus: Rev. Tim Ahrens, First Congregational Church; Cantor Jack Chomsky, Congregation Tifereth Israel; Rev. Eric Brown, Woodland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Rabbi Misha Zinkow, Temple Israel; Rev. Stephen Smith, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church; Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin; Rev. Mark Diemer, Grace of God Lutheran Church.

Cleveland: Rabbi Richard Block, Temple Tifereth; Rev. Ken Chalker, First United Methodist Church, Rev. Tony Minor, Community of Faith Assembly; Imam Abbas Ahmad, First Cleveland Mosque; The Very Rev. Tracey Lind, Trinity Cathedral; Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr., Forest Hill Church Presbyterian.

Plus dozens of other clergy and people of faith in both cities!

We Believe Ohio is currently presenting the “Political Sleaze-Free Zone” petition to candidates and political parties, asking each to sign on to the declaration. We Believe Ohio asks all citizens of Ohio to sign its petition calling for a “Political Sleaze-Free’’ state by going on-line to http://www.webelieveohio.org/noguttersignup.html.

www.webelieveohio.org

We are called as people of faith and loyal Americans to be united in dialogue and action to say:
YES to justice for all; NO to prosperity for only a few; YES to diverse religious expression; NO to self-righteous certainty; YES to the common good; NO to discrimination against any of God’s people; YES to the voice of religious traditions informing public policy; NO to crossing the lines that separate the institutions of Religion and Government.

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CONTACT: Contact: Katie Barge (202) 243-8289; Rev. John Lentz, (216) 321-2660 (Cleveland) and Rabbi Richard Block (216) 831-3233 (Cleveland); and Rev. Tim Ahrens (Columbus) (614) 228-1741 x13