Interfaith Coalition to Demand State Leaders Address Poverty

As poverty remains a severe problem in Rhode Island, faith leaders from across the state will descend upon the State House on Wednesday with a call to action.

They will demand members of the Rhode Island General Assembly address poverty issues in the upcoming legislative session to uphold "moral standards of justice and compassion."

Among the speakers will be Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, Rev. Linda Watkins and Don Anderson, of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.

The march begins at 2:30 p.m. from Gloria Dei Church at 15 Hayes St. in Providence and ending at the State House Rotunda at 3 p.m. for a vigil.

Specifically, the interfaith coalition will call upon the General Assembly to pass payday lending reform, family cash assistance and homeless prevention legislation.

"The RI Interfaith Coalition, whose mission is to fight poverty with faith, was formed in 2008 as part of a national movement. The Coalition believes that as people of faith they are called upon to hold their communities and themselves accountable to the moral standards of justice and compassion that are central to religious traditions. ," a flier states. (Attached to this article).