wfn.org | People of Faith Rally Against Proposed Budget Monday, March 14

["Carol Fouke" <cfouke@ncccusa.org>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE				
March 10, 2005

CONTACT:  Leslie Tune, National Council of Churches USA
	  202/544-2350, ext. 11

	  Don Parker, The Interfaith Alliance
	  202/639-6370, ext. 111

**PHOTO OPPORTUNITY**

People of Faith To Declare 'This Budget Does Not Reflect Our Values'
Rally at U.S. Capitol Monday, March 14 at Noon

What:	Hundreds of people of faith will join the National Council of
Churches USA and The Interfaith Alliance at the West Front of the U.S.
Capitol to rally against the fiscal year 2006 budget proposed by the Bush
Administration. Boldly declaring that "This Budget Does Not Reflect Our
Values!" people of faith from across the country will speak out against the
proposed budget, which favors military spending and tax breaks for the 
wealthy and corporations and largely ignores the needs of the poor, children,
the elderly, families and communities. 

Members of the clergy will gather in front of the United Methodist Building
wearing their traditional garb and walk to the rally location to join with
other people of faith in this protest.

Who:		

-Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of Churches USA and
former U.S. Congressman (7th-PA)

-Rabbi Eric Yoffe, President, Union for Reform Judaism, the largest American
Jewish denomination

-Arun Gandhi, Founder/President, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
(Tennessee), grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and Board Member, The Interfaith
Alliance

-Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President, The Interfaith Alliance

-Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, Associate General Secretary National Council of
Churches USA

- 2005 Ecumenical Advocacy Days Participants 
(Many of the close to 800 clergy and lay leaders who will be in Washington,
D.C. for Ecumenical Advocacy Days, March 11-14 at the Doubletree Hotel in
Crystal City, Va., will participate in the rally)

When &	
Where:	Noon
		Monday, March 14
		West Front of the U.S. Capitol
		Washington, D.C.
		(Members of the clergy will meet at 100 Maryland Ave., NE at
11: 30 a.m. and
		walk to the rally location)

Why:	The federal budget is a moral document because it establishes the
priorities of our nation. Rather than cut or eliminate programs that help
those most in need, the federal budget should be funded by controlling
military and war spending, closing corporate tax loopholes, and scaling back
tax breaks for the wealthy.

###

EDITOR'S NOTE: Religious leaders will be available immediately before and
following the rally for interviews. To schedule an interview contact, Leslie
Tune, NCC, at 202/544-2350 or 202/297-2191 (cell) or Don Parker, The
Interfaith Alliance at 202/639-6370.