(Columbia, SC) – Midlands Organized Response for Equity and Justice (MORE Justice), an interfaith coalition of 27 racially, socio-economically, and religiously diverse congregations, will hold their seventh annual Community Problems Assembly (CPA) on Monday, October 30, 2023 at Beth Shalom Synagogue (5827 N Trenholm Road). For those interested in learning more about the organization’s current priorities, arrive early at 5:45 to participate in a “Data Walk” to see displays deepening our understanding of the problems and the solutions around Food Insecurity, Affordable Housing and Gun Violence. The event itself will begin at 6:10 pm.
On October 30, 300 people of faith will reaffirm our commitment to “do justice” and prioritize community-wide problem areas for research and action. This year, more than 50 “house meetings” took place where around 500 Richland and Lexington county residents participated. Participants shared personal stories about what community problems directly impact them.
MORE Justice is dedicated to seeking justice for all residents of the Central Midlands area by holding systems accountable for fair practices and policies. During a time of great divisiveness across our country and world, this event will be one of unity where we come together to work on local problems that negatively impact our lives and our neighbor’s lives.
Previous organizational successes include pressing location officials to increase the number of police trained in Crisis Intervention Training and $4 million committed to affordable housing. MORE Justice’s advocacy to address gun violence also led to the establishment of Columbia’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention and to address food insecurity, the organization advocated for an extended contract with the mobile food market.
For more information, contact Lizzy Van Harn at 616-916-9568.
