Monday September 12th, 200 low wage workers, faith leaders and activists stood on the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, demanding that our elected representatives take action against injustice. Speakers from organizations dedicated to immigration, labor, environmental, education and prison justice testified to how their lives have been impacted by our racist criminal justice system, environmental destruction, low wages, corporate greed, education underfunding and an immigration system that separates families and exploits workers.

Monday September 12th, 200 low wage workers, faith leaders and activists stood on the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, demanding that our elected representatives take action against injustice. Speakers from organizations dedicated to immigration, labor, environmental, education and prison justice testified to how their lives have been impacted by our racist criminal justice system, environmental destruction, low wages, corporate greed, education underfunding and an immigration system that separates families and exploits workers. Leaders from diverse faith traditions spoke of how their spirituality calls them to stand for justice. I felt deeply moved by the people around me—and even more so when I remembered that the same calls were being made in 29 other states as people across the country demanded that their representatives heed the call of the Higher Ground Moral Declaration.

The faith leaders who spoke were clear that it was their responsibility to use their voice as spiritual and moral leaders to demand racial, economic and gender justice. This commitment to justice is what I hope my spiritual community will call me to. Growing up white in America I have learned to accept segregation, incarceration, exploitation, dehumanization and poverty as normal and even necessary. I have learned to pass by people sleeping on the street, that if someone is locked up it must be their fault, and that people who can’t make ends meet just aren’t working hard enough. These delusions go deep, and we need our spiritual communities to call us to wholeness–to help us recognize that every living being is deserving of respect and freedom. We need spiritual communities that will push beyond normalized violence toward healing and justice.

I took joy in standing alongside other Quakers as we heard this call to honor and defend that of God in everyone.