Highlights of Events from the Past Two Years
of
Religious
Witness with Homeless People
Following the outset of the War in Iraq, Religious Witness sponsored two major events that focused on the exorbitant war budget, which has robbed poor and homeless families in our own nation of healthcare, housing and education, and has brought death and destruction to countless thousands of our sisters and brothers in Iraq.
April 13, 2003
Swords to Plowshares Action
Hundreds participated in dramatic ritual, liturgical dance and inspiring
words with an insistence that the "swords" of usurped billions
of dollars for war be re-converted into the "plowshares" of life
and peace, in order to alleviate the suffering of millions of women, children
and men trapped in extreme poverty.
 |
May 11, 2003 Mother's Day Action Through moving and inspiring outdoor theatre, Religious Witness brought together over 100 participants to honor mothers in our own city and throughout the world whose hearts brimmed with pain brought about by the tragic War in Iraq and its many repercussions. |
Our moral opposition to this proposition took the form of: (1) two weeks of daily vigils with signs and leaflet distribution in front of City Hall, (2) placing a paid argument in the Voters' Guide, and (3) a broad distribution of 15,000 informational leaflets defining Prop M's utter cruelty toward homeless people. |
January-March 2004
Campaign to Save Trinity Plaza
In an effort to preserve 377 rent-controlled housing units and to prevent
the eviction of over 500 tenants, Religious Witness joined the Trinity Plaza
tenants and other housing/tenant activists in several events. As an outstanding
member
of this coalition, Religious Witness sponsored two press conferences and
two candlelight vigils, as well as organizing our members to attend hearings
and to individually lobby the Supervisors for support of the Anti-Demolition
Ordinance.
The Ordinance was passed by the Board of Supervisors with a 7-4 vote, but, unfortunately, Mayor Newsom then vetoed the Ordinance.
February 2004
Campaign Against "Workforce Housing" (Prop J)
This ballot measure (sponsored by the SF Chamber of Commerce
and supported by Mayor Newsom) was one of the most egregious in recent San
Francisco history; it represented a notorious give-away of neighborhoods
across the
city to
big developers,
with
almost
no input from the neighbors. Through a diversity of strategies (including
an Open Letter signed by 100 religious leaders and publised in the Chronicle),
Religious Witness played a prominent role in bringing about the dramatic
defeat of Prop J by 70% of the voters.
Despite collecting well over the required number of signatures, this measure did not appear on the November 2nd ballot; it was thrown out on a technicality after being challenged in court on behalf of Mayor Newsom and others who sided with the landlords and against the tenants, who represent 75% of this city’s population. |
March-November
2004April 2004-Present
Surplus Property Ordinance
Following a month of intense negotiations by a large coalition of
activist groups, including Religious Witness, this Ordinance was passed by
the Board of Supervisors with a 10-1 vote. The Ordinance calls for 15 specific
city-owned surplus properties to be used for development or sale to help house
San Francisco's homeless residents. It also requires the formation
of
a Surplus Property Citizens' Advisory Committee to ensure the proper utilization
of these properties. Sister Bernie sought out and won an appointment by the
Board of Supervisors to this Advisory Committee.
Ongoing
Collaborations, Speaking Engagements, Hearings and Letters
of Support
Religious Witness is frequently called upon for our collaboration
in support of campaigns that directly or indirectly impact poor and
homeless
people. Whether we are asked to testify for or against a particular piece
of legislation, to host a meeting or to attend a rally, we attempt to contribute
to and support all of those efforts that aim to raise consciousness about
the suffering of our homeless brothers and sisters and those efforts which
seek to relieve that suffering through just and sustainable means. The Steering
Committee of Religious Witness often takes it upon themselves to commend
the efforts of others and, by various means, to support those
who are themselves faced with injustice or unjust persecution. Through all
of
our
collective
efforts, we seek to encourage those who also stand in solidarity with
the poorest members of our society.