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Wallis to address Justice Revival
WARREN
The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative is convening a one-day Justice Revival today that will culminate with a speech by the Rev. Jim Wallis, editor and founder of Sojourners magazine.
The revival will address concerns about human trafficking and the national budget. Wallis has made headlines across the country during the past few months as he urges lawmakers on the federal and state levels to view the budget as a moral document.
The budget “is where are our choices reveal our values. ...When you look at it that way, it’s not even about scarcity, it’s about choices. They want to cut $8.5 billion of low-income housing, but they want to keep $8.4 billion for tax deductions on second vacation homes,” Wallis said.
Wallis’ work often challenges people to grapple with injustice and social disparity, and his recent budget movement is no different, he said.
“I want [Wisconsin U.S. Rep.] Paul Ryan to stand up and say that cutting $10.5 billion for malaria bed nets for kids to keep them from dying is less important than every line item of military spending. I want him to say that out loud. He won’t,” Wallis said.
Wallis has helped found and lead a coalition of Christian organizations, such as the Salvation Army, to challenge budget decisions.
About 1,000 residents are expected to attend the evening at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 931 Buckeye St. NW, Warren, according to an MVOC news release.
“This exciting event reminds us that all faith is rooted in social justice, and encourages us all to move beyond polarizing rhetoric and toward conversations that unify us around creating strong communities throughout the region and state,” said Chris McKee, a faith-based organizer at MVOC.
Wallis and the coalition have been criticized for their message. For example, some have said that the Good Samaritan gives freely without government compulsion.
However, Wallis said, only 6 percent of the efforts to feed hungry people is done by the private sector, compared to the 94 percent of nutritional programs from the government.
“You cut all that, what will happen to the poorest and hungriest? They’ll have nothing. ... They’ll survive or not. The private sector cannot possibly meet the need. ... I’m coming to Youngstown to have that conversation,” Wallis said.