Faiths Act

This year Hannah and I have had the privilege of witnessing clergy of different faiths organizing themselves to have a strong, united voice against injustice. Since New York City has been at the center of the country’s expression of discontent at the current financial and social situation of the 99%, it has been a particularly exciting place to be as a Faiths Act Fellow.

Watching clergy find their place in the fight for economic justice has been breathtaking, and has modeled for us the resources and wisdom that faith communities have to offer any social movement. The primary role of OccupyFaith has been to serve as a moral voice, condemning corruption and inequality and supporting the protesters and their cause. They have also worked together to provide shelter for hundreds of protesters every night in their houses of worship since the raid of Zuccotti Park and the onset of winter. From the start, they have held up Occupy Wall St. as the next link in a long chain of non-violent protest movements agitating for justice, often connecting it back specifically to the Civil Rights Movement.

On Thursday Hannah and I honored the visionary leadership of OccupyFaith by bringing coffee, tea and bagels provided by UNITED SIKHS to the weekly meeting of 45 members. We recognized that the participating members’ activism to bring us closer to a time when all people have the rights and resources they need to live a dignified life is exactly what International Human Solidarity Day is all about.

We thank the clergy of OccupyFaith for showing us one more way that religion can be a force for good in the world, and cherish our involvement with this dynamic and inspired collective.

Nomi Teutsch, Faiths Act Fellow