As the Rhode Island General Assembly convened for the first session of 2022, faith leaders from across the state held a rally outside the State House “to remind elected officials of their responsibility to fight poverty through policy.” This year marks the 14th Annual Fighting Poverty with Faith Vigil an annual event at which the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty announces their legislative priorities for the year.

The annual event is meant to raise awareness among legislators, and promote the long-standing vision of the coalition, which is that all Rhode Islanders deserve:

• a safe and affordable home;
• adequate, nutritious food;
• quality and equal education;
• affordable and accessible health care; and,
• work with decent wages.

The coalition took time to celebrate some of their victories from the last legislative session, including:

• a thirty percent increase in the state’s financial and employment assistance program known as RI Works;
• passing The Fair Housing Practices Act that ended housing discrimination based on a renters’ source of income; and,
• the Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act.

This year the coalition seeks to continue to bring people out of poverty. Among their priorities:

• Advocating for low-income housing and protecting Rhode Islanders from evictions during the ongoing pandemic;
• Ensuring that all children in Rhode Island have health care;
• Advocating for a more just tax structure to build revenue for needed programs and services;
• Ensuring that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and other federal funds are used to address poverty and inequality; and,
• Providing undocumented Rhode Islanders with access to a driver’s license.

Below is all the video from the event. Of special note are the presentations of Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman and Angela Howard-McParland of the Sisters of Mercy.

As usual, the event began with clergy marching from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Hayes Street to the Rhode Island State House. This years vigil was held outside the State House, in years past it was held inside.

The ceremony opened with the blowing of the shofar by Rabbi Preston Neimeiser, and music from Cantor Judy Seplowin of Temple Beth-El.

“We are gathered here today in very hard times for everyone in our state and in our world,” said David Veliz, Director and Lead Organizer of RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty. “We are united in the idea – through many different faiths – that we have a moral obligation to fight poverty and inequality in Rhode Island.”

Reverend Howard Jenkins, President of Rhode Island Ministers Alliance, gave the opening prayer.

“I am committed to standing up for all Rhode Islanders, especially those in need, and it is encouraging to witness so many leaders, elected officials and other advocates raise their voices to fight poverty,” said Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee. “I thank the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty for their continued advocacy that has resulted in tangible differences for so many Rhode Islanders, and I know that progress will continue in 2022.”

Because the General Assembly was meeting two hours earlier than has been usual in times past, Both the Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and Speaker of the House Joseph Shekarchi sent messages to the vigil.

“Those of us in elected office have the ability, and the responsibility, to help make the lives of our
neighbors better,” wrote Senate President Ruggerio. “The faith community is a steadfast ally in our ongoing work to reduce poverty and extend a helping hand to those Rhode Islanders most in need. As the legislature prepares for a new session, this vigil reminds us of how much is still to be done – and of the amazing things we can accomplish together.”

“I am proud that last year, the legislature accomplished many of the priorities set forth in the coalition’s agenda for 2021…Until all Rhode Islanders have a safe place to live and enough food to eat, our work will continue,” wrote Speaker Shekarchi. “I thank the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty for your partnership and steadfast efforts to lift people out of poverty.”

“The coalition’s mission has never been more essential,” said Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman, as part of his keynote speech. “The unprecedented challenges of this pandemic have laid bare the cost of our nation’s offensive health, economic, and social inequalities, and it is well past time to recognize that simple truth. All of us, our governor, our state legislators, and every single citizen, must work together to create a more compassionate and just community; a community that prioritizes the welfare of our most vulnerable neighbors. And this work must begin today.”

The assembled clergy then took turns reading the names of the elected officials in Rhode Island, asking that they “govern with wisdom, care and compassion.”

The closing words were from Angela Howard-McParland of the Sisters of Mercy.

Howard- McParland spoke about the Feast of Epiphany, celebrated by many Christians this week. This celebration concerns the three wisemen, who, in what may be the first act of civil disobedience in the New Testament, disobeyed Herod and did not report the birth of Jesus to him, and instead “returned home another way.”

Howard-McParland noted the civil disobedience of Senator Cynthia Mendes and advocates who camped out in front the State House for 16 days in December to force the government to finally do something about the homelessness crisis in our state.

For all the government officials in Rhode Island, McParland had the following prayer, “Join us on this long journey towards justice. Disrupt business as usual. Be stargazers, unafraid of the darkness that threatens. And when the star reminds you of who you are, and who we all are, don’t be afraid to return home another way.”

More music closed out the event.

The Interfaith Coalition “works to make sure that every Rhode Islander is given the same basic rights regardless of their race, religion, or economic status. Their goal is to ensure that Rhode Island legislators address issues of poverty as they govern. The Interfaith Coalition works in collaboration with other organizations and coalitions who share the same values, goals, and support. They work to impact public policy and achieve economic security for all Rhode Islanders.”

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