PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY - On Monday, November 24, fusion coalitions of impacted people and faith leaders, and moral leaders will convene outside Passaic City Hall. A prayer vigil will be held for the poor and low-wage earners who will die due to cuts to Medicaid, healthcare subsidies, SNAP, and other life-saving programs. Participants will demand that national lawmakers extend healthcare subsidies and call on state legislators to protect vulnerable communities.

The action — part of the “Moral Mondays” movement — is being held across 17 states, led by Bishop William J. Barber II, President and Sr. Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, National Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, and Professor in the Practice of Public Theology and Public Policy and Founding Director of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School.
“The big, bad, deadly budget bill proved that Washington lawmakers are more than willing to kill tens of thousands of people to line the pockets of the wealthy. But apparently, even that level of destruction and death wasn’t enough,” said Bishop William J. Barber. “Lawmakers are now allowing healthcare subsidies to expire, forcing millions of people to come up with more money for health plans – or die trying.”

Organizers across New Jersey describe the Moral Monday action as an opportunity to honor lives that are being lost from healthcare and SNAP cuts and impacted through attacks on the freedom of vulnerable community members.

“It is my hope and wish that while families of greater economic and political power are preparing to gather at their Thanksgiving tables later this week, that they make room in their hearts, thoughts and prayers for people sorely afflicted by recent government changes and curtailment of funding. The children, elderly and families who are currently facing hunger and are on the verge of not only losing their homes, apartments, and livelihoods, but are also in danger of losing their lives due to healthcare subsidies ending on December 31st of this year , will leave thousands without access to medical care and the medicines they need to remain alive and healthy." said Rev. Dr. William Henry of Everlasting Life Ministry.

Event Details:

WHAT: New Jersey Mass Moral Monday Prayer Protest and Vigil

WHEN: Monday, November 24, 1:30PM ET

WHERE: Courtyard of Passaic City Hall at 330 Passaic St, Passaic, NJ 07055

Members of the Press are encouraged to attend in person.

WHO: Local clergy, faith leaders, impacted families, and state-based partner organizations

LIVESTREAM of National Gathering at 11am EST: https://breachrepairers.org/get-involved/live/

Moral Mondays are organized by Repairers of the Breach under the leadership of Bishop William J. Barber II. Joining as national partners in this next phase are Indivisible, the National Urban League, Masjid Muhammad, the National Council of Churches, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the AME Zion Church, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Presbyterian Church USA, the United Church of Christ, the Ohio Council of Churches, North Carolina Council of Churches, Red Letter Christians, AM Kolel, Franciscan Action Network, OBRA Hispana, Hood Theological Seminary, Neighborhood Folks, Foundry United Methodist Church, and Sojourners.

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