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Formerly the Mid-South Interfaith Network for Economic Justice     

Faithfully seeking justice with workers                                                         

   Memphians Deliver 5,000 Living Wage
  Petition Signatures to City Council

  
  The response of Memphians to
  the living wage petition drive was
   overwhelming, and it showed at
   the October 11th City Council 
   meeting. More than 170
   people of faith, union members,
   community activists, and workers
   rallied outside City Hall to demand
      that the City Council move forward in
      introducing the living wage ordinance.
      At the rally, children pulled wagons filled
      with living wage petitions into City Hall.
      Religious leaders from the Methodist,
      Presbyterian, Catholic, Muslim, Baptist,
      U.C.C. and Episcopal traditions hand
     delivered the petitions to Council members
      prior to their regular meeting.

   Council members were clearly surprised to
                                                                  see so many people gathered in support of the
    living wage. Council members entered the chamber
    late because of committee meetings running behind
    schedule, and were greeted by crowds signing
    "We Shall Not Be Moved" and chanting "Living Wage
     Now!"

     The next step is getting Council members to commit
     to vote for the living wage ordinance. Member groups
                                                                  of the Living Wage Coalition are approaching
                                                                  Council members to ask for a meeting, where Council
     members will be urged to do whatever they can to
     move the ordinance forward.

    Background on the Living Wage Ordinance