NATIONAL FAITH GROUPS ANNOUNCE “COUNT EVERY VOTE: KEEP THE FAITH” WEEKEND OCT 30- NOV 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT
Monica Forero, monica@newheightscommunications.com, (703) 953-0141
Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org,(540) 280-3393
NATIONAL FAITH GROUPS ANNOUNCE “COUNT EVERY VOTE:
KEEP THE FAITH” WEEKEND OCT 30- NOV 1
Ahead of election with historic turnout, faith leaders tell officials,“every vote is sacred”
Washington, DC—On the final weekend before an election with historic turnout, national and local faith leaders across the country will be calling on officials to ensure a safe, free and fair election and a full count of the vote.
“Every voter has dignity, and every vote is sacred”– that’s the message of “Keep the Faith: Count Every Vote Weekend of Action,” which was announced today by leaders from Faith in Public Life, Bend the Arc and United Church of Christ, as well as faith leaders in Pennsylvania and Florida. Hundreds of faith leaders across the country will participate in this weekend of action, uplifting the moral message that every voter has dignity and that every vote must be counted.
To watch a recording of the event, click here.
Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc, said, “We don’t get to choose the historic moment we live in, but we do get to choose how we respond. We respond with love. We respond with moral courage. We respond with justice. And we respond because we believe in every person’s sacred right to vote in a free and fair election.”
Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO, Faith in Public Life, said, “People of all faiths are committed to a free, fair and safe election. And we see clearly what stands in the way. Restrictions on the right to vote and deliberately placed barriers to the ballot box come in many forms from state to state. Intimidation and disinformation sow fear and confusion. Underneath it all is white supremacy. Black people, Native people, Latinx and Asian people face barriers that white communities do not face. It is racist and sinful. Faith communities are organizing and preparing nationwide to lead with resilience and determination to ensure that every vote is counted.”
Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, Associate General Minister, Justice & Local Church Ministries, The United Church of Christ, said, “Our vote is the way we voice our affirmation or condemnation of the state of our society. Our vote is not the mark of sacredness to God…but it is the mark of our faithfulness to one another and creation.”
Rev. Dr. Kevin Johnson, Founder and Lead Pastor, Dare to Imagine Church in Philadelphia, PA, said, “While COVID-19 has disrupted our families and our daily lives, it should not disrupt or destroy our democracy. That’s why it is crucial that every vote is counted. That’s why it is critical that every voice is heard. That’s why it is crucial that we do everything in our power to make sure that American democracy is not imperiled.”
Dr. Parvez Ahmed, Co-founder of Interfaith Center of North East Florida, Jacksonville, FL, said, “With religious fundamentalists around the globe pushing back against democracies and democratic norms, it becomes even more important for people of faith to speak out for democracy and expansion of democratic rights that is inclusive of all citizens.”
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Faith in Public Life is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, we are leading the fight to advance just policies at the local, state and federal levels. Our network of 50,000 leaders engage in bold moral action that affirms our values and the human dignity of all.