Dear Friends:

Last year in June we came together from many backgrounds and walks of life to do a very simple witness outside the Capitol in Sacramento to present our view that balancing our state budget by cutting essential programs for those in need was simply and utterly unacceptable.

We had an enormous outpouring of support - well over 100 people came from all over California! We were so pleased to see everyone! We had representatives from various congregations, organizations, and several individuals on their own, who all wanted to be present to say "NO!" to budget cuts for childen, students, families, our elders, those with disabilities - anyone already living on the thin edge for whom social programs are essential.

This year we are repeating this experience. It is very simple: show up, bring your own signs, bring your own letters and those of family, friends, and members of your church or temple or mosque. We will provide an in-gathering and blessing, coffee and water. That's it. Nothing fancy. But it is all about your words of faith and vision and moral focus. It's all about your lifting your own voices as you see fit.

We will gather at St. John's Lutheran Church at 17th and L Streets by 10 a.m. We will hear from faith leaders who will bless our work and send us on our way. We will then walk 6 blocks to the Capitol where we will stand along L Street (the north side of the Capitol) from 11 a.m. to noon with signs YOU have made, with songs YOU wish to sing.

At noon you may enter the Capitol, head to your own legislator's office, and that of Senate and Assembly leadership (we will provide information later) leave your letters and cards, and depart.

That's it. No policy speeches, no formal program, no "talking points" other than those you choose.

We will provide coffee and tea, water in pitchers to fill your own water bottles, bathroom access, and we will offer you fellowhip abounding!

We are sending this statewide since last year we had people from Los Angeles with us! All are welcome, all are needed, all are desired.

We do ask clergy who attend to wear at least some indication of your faithful presence depending on the weather - robes, stoles, collars - whatever gives evidence of your alliance but does not cause you discomfort. We also suggest VERY comfortable shoes! And given Sacramento's weather, we advise a hat. It may be sunny and warm. Or rain. You never know...

It's plain, informal, not much material comfort, but everyone who came last year said they had an outstandingly good time! And it made the news, and it made an impression. Your faithful witness was duly noted by legislators. We believe it changed some votes on some issues.

So save the date - Tuesday, May 18, 10 a.m. to about 12:30 p.m., and join us for one of the best days for justice you will ever have!

Thank you - we look forward to seeing you in May!

Suggestions on signs and letters:

We have learned over the years that our time-honored language “balancing the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable” is too often met with sneering disdain.  Too many legislators think people in poverty are just weak and lazy.  

We need to challenge this with different language – we need to address issues such as “people whom the private sector has abandoned or will not serve” and to accent the crisis by remembering that these mothers trying to get off welfare are living already in peril; we need to remember children are our responsibility as a society as part of our human family; we need to emphasize that “shared sacrifice” has to have real meaning, not just a blip for the wealthy and decimation for the poor.

Delve into your scripture, theology, your outrage, your passion to write from the heart and from a challenge to the utter immorality of these budget proposals.  Bring stories, yes – but they have to be supported by principles of our common values, democratic as well as faith, so they are not dismissed and ignored.

Use your most powerful heart and language – we must rise above the capacity of our legislators to wave us away as mere bleeding hearts.  We are witnessing for people who have no other allies but us – we cannot let them down.

We will send more details as we work them out.  

For questions, please contact Elizabeth Sholes, Director of Public Policy, CA Council of Churches/CA Church IMPACT at sholes@calchurches.org