Project for Opportunity and Safety

Faith Leaders Urge Congressional Action On Sentencing Reform 

Faith Leaders Joined From Across The Country To Hold A DC Prayer Vigil And Congressional Meetings  

Faith Groups Representing A Wide Spectrum Of Faiths- Christian, Jewish, and Muslim- Joined Together To Pray For The Country And Urge Criminal Justice Reform

Yesterday, Faith Leaders From Across The Country Met On The U.S. Capitol Grounds To Pray For The Victims And Families Of The Orlando Shooting And For Congress To Reform Federal Sentencing Guidelines And Meet With Congressional Members To Urge Legislative Reforms. “Faith leaders from across the country converged today on the grounds of the US Capitol to pray for victims and families of the Orlando shooting and to pray that another issue critical to our safety and security — reform of systems that imprison 2.3 million Americans — is accomplished through changes in federal sentencing guidelines. The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015 (S. 2123) has been sitting on the desk of Senate Majority Leader McConnell since last October after receiving wide bipartisan support.  Faith leaders are meeting today with Senators and members of the House of Representatives to urge that this bill, and other reforms, move forward.” (Press Release, “In Wake of Orlando Shooting, America’s Faith Leaders Continue Push for Sentencing Reform,” National Council of Churches, 6/15/16)

Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director Of The Religious Action Center Of Reform Judaism: “In The Face Of A Tragedy Like We Experienced This Week, We People Of Faith Come Together To Bear Witness That The World As It Is, Which Is Broken With Suffering And Oppression, Is Not The World As It Need Be.” “‘In the face of a tragedy like we experienced this week, we people of faith come together to bear witness that the world as it is, which is broken with suffering and oppression, is not the world as it need be,’ said Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. ‘And so we lift up our moral voice today in outrage and in prayer.’” (Press Release, “In Wake of Orlando Shooting, America’s Faith Leaders Continue Push for Sentencing Reform,” National Council of Churches, 6/15/16)

Faith Leaders Urge Congress To Pass The Bi-Partisan Sentencing Reform And Corrections Act of 2015 (S.2123)

Sharon Watkins, General Minister And President Of The Christian Church (Disciples Of Christ): “We Believe This Is A Matter Of Faith And Morality, And We Urge Senator McConnell To Do The Right Thing And Bring This Bill To A Vote.” “’Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all spring from a story of freedom, of a God who liberates the enslaved and gives second chances,’ said Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). ‘We believe this is a matter of faith and morality, and we urge Senator McConnell to do the right thing and bring this bill to a vote.’” (Press Release, “In Wake of Orlando Shooting, America’s Faith Leaders Continue Push for Sentencing Reform,” National Council of Churches, 6/15/16)

Aundreia Alexander, Associate General Secretary Of The National Council Of Churches: “We Have Been Supportive Of This Bill Since The Beginning, And Still Feel That It Is The Best Chance We Will Have To See Meaningful Change For Years To Come.” “’We have been supportive of this bill since the beginning, and still feel that it is the best chance we will have to see meaningful change for years to come,’ said Aundreia Alexander, Associate General Secretary of the National Council of Churches.’” (Press Release, “In Wake of Orlando Shooting, America’s Faith Leaders Continue Push for Sentencing Reform,” National Council of Churches, 6/15/16)