African American Ministers Focus on Katrina while Bush Aids War in Iraq
While President Bush prepares to ask Congress for $245 billion to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many in Hurricane Katrina-ravaged New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region continue to struggle for the most basic necessities, shelter, employment and a sense the nation still cares. New Orleans still needs $831 million to repair schools and $650 million for low-income housing. In response, The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc., the nation's fastest growing ecumenical, social justice organization, begins its 4th annual meeting in New Orleans today, "In the Wake of Katrina: Lest We Forget…Call To Renewal" to address concerns surrounding the city's restoration and to examine public policies, emergency preparedness, healthcare and other issues affecting the African-American church and community.
"The reality is a year has passed and too many Gulf Coast residents are still waiting—not just for their cities to be rebuilt, but for their lives to be restored," said Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) in support of Proctor Conference goals. "Now that the searing images of the devastation are gone from our nightly news and newspaper front pages, the urgency of the work left undone is receding in our public consciousness…The Proctor Conference has taken a significant step toward placing the sense of urgency back in the public mind."
At least 1,000 noted African-American ministers, leaders and politicians will attend the Conference including Obama by satellite or video, Atty. Marian Wright Edelman, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., the Rev. Al Sharpton and a number of New Orleans city officials. A number of programs are planned including a 6 a.m. Sunrise Worship Service on Wednesday at the Katrina Memorial Site (Claiborne Ave. Bridge) to honor those who lost their lives in the storm. Participants also will take "Sacred Pilgrimages" to engage in hands on work at sites such the Freedom School, Beecher Memorial Congregational United Church of Christ and the Amistad Research Center.
The Conference has released "the breach: Bearing Witness," a comprehensive report by the National Katrina Justice Commission (sponsored by SDPC), with introductory remarks by Obama, which includes 23 recommendations on the Gulf Coast restoration and highlights stories of those who were displaced. The report includes testimony from first responders, evacuees, political officials, Red Cross and FEMA and sheds light on the public policy implications the hurricane has had on Homeland Security, poverty and race and class-based disparities.
WHO: Other presenters include national clergy, lay leaders, public officials and including:
• The Honorable James E. Clyburn (D-SC), House Majority Whip, U. S. Congress
• The Honorable Cynthia Willard-Lewis of New Orleans City Council
• The Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network, New York, New York
• The Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., Senior Pastor, The Riverside Church, New York, New York
• The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL
• The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio
• The Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, Interfaith Alliance Foundation, Washington, DC
• Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr., professor and author of The Politics of Jesus, Montclair, NJ
• The Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson, North American President World Council of Churches, New Orleans, LA
WHEN: February 5th – 8th, 2007
Monday, Feb. 5th, 6 p.m. and Tuesday at 7 p.m., Open Worship Services.
Wednesday, Feb. 7th, Sunrise Service 6 a.m., Katrina Memorial Site at Claiborne Ave. Bridge
(Lower 9th Ward)
Wednesday, Feb. 7th, Sacred Pilgrimages begin at 1 p.m., see Proctor website for more details www.sdpconference.info
WHERE: Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, LA
500 Canal Street (504) 525-2500
