Faith leaders lock arms in solidarity against mass incarceration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2016
Contact: Michelle Warren, michelle@ccda.org, 720-472-0871
Faith leaders lock arms in solidarity against mass incarceration
Hundreds of faith leaders, churchgoers, and advocates across two dozen cities demand change on mass incarceration
A diverse and growing coalition of people of faith are standing united with advocates in more than two dozen cities nationwide to fight against the injustice of mass incarceration.
“The racial and socioeconomic disparities plaguing our criminal justice system demand that we take action,” said Rev. Noel Castellanos, President & CEO, Christian Community Development Association. “As an association of practitioners who live, work and worship in communities most impacted by mass incarceration, we must ensure that something is done. We won’t stay silent. We need to find ways to reform the system that serves to restore and rehabilitate lives in a just and compassionate manner.”
This Thursday, the CCDA is hosting the third annual Locked in Solidarity event bringing together advocates across America to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and their families and loved ones.
“We must look at the implications of our Christian voice in our country’s prison system. As people of grace, hope, restoration, and recovery, our stamp is not on the system we are explicitly called to influence as believers. We need to repent our lack of engagement,” said Leroy Barber, Chairman of the Board, CCDA. “We need to become active in restoring, releasing, and helping people return to society. Mass Incarceration must end and people of faith must be a part of the answer. This is at the heart of the Gospel which frees us and calls us to offer that freedom to others.”
Events include marches, prayer vigils, public forums, and even a basketball tournament. Spokespeople will be on hand at each event to speak to the press.
WHAT: Prayer vigil and interview opportunities
WHO: Faith leaders, churchgoers, activists, and public officials
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 11th
A partial list of events can be found below.
OAKLAND 7:00 PM — 2626 E 16th St ; web.dubois3@gmail.com
ELGIN 1750 GRANDSTAND PLACE, IL ; info@gji.org
WACO 5:30 PM — 1226 Washington Avenue ; brooke_peery@baylor.edu
DURHAM 6:00 PM — Nehemiah Christian Center, 514 N Mangum St, 27701 ; reynoldschapman@gmail.com
RALEIGH 6:30 PM — Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 West Edenton Street ; mwalker@jobsforlife.org
BOONE 7:00 PM — Boone United Methodist Church: 471 New Market Blvd. ; lukesedwards@gmail.com
CAMBRIDGE 12:00 PM — 15 Notre Dame Ave ; tory@reservoirchurch.org
CHICAGO 7:00 PM — 3225 W. Foster Ave. ; nilwona.nowlin@covchurch.org
CHICAGO 7:00 PM — The Firehouse Community Arts Center, 2111 S. Hamlin ; mwaickman@lclc.net
AKRON 6:00 PM — 1361 W Market St. ; joe@southstreetministries.org
CHARLESTON 11:00 AM — Two Rivers Community Center 1082 E. Montague Avenue ; jrringjr@gmail.com
GRAND RAPIDS ALL DAY — Oakdale Park CRC, 961 Temple St SE, Grand Rapids, MI ; carolrienstra@gmail.com
SAN FRANCISCO (happened Tuesday) 1129 Florida Street ; debgish@churchofthesojourners.org
MERIDEN 7:00 PM — 460 Broad St. CT ; csbushman@gmail.com
SEATTLE 7:00 AM — 1000 2nd Ave #2500 ; connect@puentesseattle.org
SOUTH BEND Adam.gustine@gmail.com
ST. LOUIS 7:00 PM — Temple of Deliverance, 215 Shepley, St. Louis, MO 63137 ; kriciacox@gmail.com
PASADENA 6:00 PM — Lake Avenue Church/393 N Lake Ave. ; clairew@lakeave.org
BRONX 6:30 PM — Lake Avenue Church/393 N Lake Ave. ; motthavenchurch350@verizon.net
KANSAS CITY 6:30 PM — 1708 Baltimore Ave
FRESNO Youth for Christ — 1501 Divisadero St, Fresno CA 93701 ; j.mast@keplerschool.org
BOWIE 7:00 PM — Bowie Church of Christ 2518 Kenhill Dr. ; mamelone93@gmail.com
OMAHA 2:00 PM — 2200 N 20th ST ; alyssa@hopecenterforkids.com
DENVER Agape Christian Church 2501 California Street, 802015 ; robert.woolfolk@yahoo.com
ATLANTA New Life Covenant Church 575 Travis Street NW ; trailblazing@comcast.net
ATLANTA Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive ; walker-barnes_cj@mercer.edu
COLORADO SPRINGS 7:00 PM — cdou106770@msn.com
MIAMI Miami Friends Center
RIVERSIDE 8432 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504 ; antonio_orona@yahoo.com
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