WASHINGTON, D.C.—A non-partisan alliance of churches and partner organizations launched a new initiative against poverty June 15, according to a news release from the National Council of Churches.

The initiative, "Let Justice Roll: Faith and Community Voices Against Poverty," challenges voters, public officials, delegates to the party conventions and this year's candidates for public office, especially the presidential candidates, to make ending poverty a top priority.

"We'll ask them, ‘What will you do to end poverty?' and we'll expect an answer," said the Rev. Dr. Paul Sherry, poverty mobilization coordinator for the National Council of Churches USA. Sherry noted that "Let Justice Roll" events will be held in Boston and New York City concurrent with the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, respectively.

The Council and the Center for Community Change are co-sponsoring "Let Justice Roll" with other national, state and local partner organizations. This new non-partisan alliance also will work to educate, register, mobilize and protect voters, especially low-income voters.

"Let Justice Roll" takes its name from the book of Amos, "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream …" (Amos 5:24 NRSV).

"Historically, our country has made progress against poverty only when low-income people have articulated what must be done, and only when people of faith have lifted their voices in solidarity with the poor to demand justice," said Deepak Bhargava, executive director of the Center for Community Change, Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, New York City, noted that nearly 35 million Americans, including more than 12 million children, live below the official poverty thresholds. One out of five children under age 6 live in poverty.

"With the large tax cuts and the massive increases in defense expenditures, few resources are left to address these important needs," he said. "We as a nation pride ourselves on our values and our moral commitment, and we as people of faith believe we ought to care for the poor."

Local "Let Justice Roll" events will be one or two days in length and typically will include meetings of religious and community leaders with elected officials and party convention delegates; a news conference on local and national issues; voter education, registration, mobilization and protection; and a worship service or rally that roots the work to overcome poverty in religious convictions.