November 4, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC – Religious leaders will stand together with Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and others to condemn the $5.15 minimum wage and to launch a new national grassroots campaign, "The Let Justice Roll/Living Wage Campaign." The Campaign will bring the voice of prominent members of the religious community to the national fight to raise the federal minimum wage. In addition – frustrated with federal inaction – faith leaders will announce their commitment to work to pass ballot initiatives to raise the minimum wage in several states in 2006.

A press conference to announce the launch of a national grassroots campaign of more than 50 religious and community groups to raise the minimum wage on the federal and state level will take place at the Russell Senate Office Building on Monday, November 7, 10:30 a.m. The Campaign will release a sign-on letter from numerous religious leaders from across the country to Members of Congress and a new book outlining the ethical and economic underpinnings of faith-based support for raising the minimum wage. In addition, the Campaign will announce "Living Wage Days," which is scheduled for Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend, January 14-16, 2006. During that weekend, worship services and rallies will take place around the country to inspire, educate and mobilize congregations and community organizations to support and act for raising the minimum wage.

Those expected to participation include: Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Senior Pastor of Riverside Church, New York; Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary, National Council Churches USA; Rev. Dr. Paul Sherry, Coordinator, "Let Justice Roll: Faith and Community Voices Against Poverty"; Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) confirmed; Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) invited; Holly Sklar, Political analyst and author of "A Just Minimum Wage: Good For Workers, Business and Our Future"; Kitty Hsu Dana, Associate General Secretary for Advancement, American Friends Service Committee; and a Representative of ACORN – a grassroots leader in the national living wage movement,

National Council of Churches USA