FaithActs wraps Connecticut State Capitol in prayer, state legislators agree to Education Justice
Speaker of the House Matt Ritter: “I should just say yes and leave and drop the mic”
HARTFORD, CONN. (May 11, 2021) — Over 100 pastors, parents, and education advocates with FaithActs for Education demanded the Connecticut General Assembly end the state’s racist and classist education funding system, and replace it with legislation that will bring about education justice for all children.
FaithActs was joined by Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, Rep. Brandon McGee, Rep. Jeff Currey, Rep. Antonio Felipe, and Rep. Anthony Nolan, who each agreed to secure $10 million more for education in the current biennium and pass antiracist legislation to close Connecticut’s racial funding gap in the next legislative session.
“In the past, our state budgets have reflected a moral belief that it’s acceptable to fund the education of white students more than students of color. Today that has changed,” said Pastor William McCullough, senior pastor of Russell Temple CME Church in Bridgeport, president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Bridgeport and Vicinity and founder of FaithActs. “It’s time for Connecticut, this governor, and this General Assembly to stop treating Black and Brown children like second-class citizens. With the promises our legislators have made today, that time is now.”
McCullough was joined by more than 100 pastors, parents, and education advocates from across Connecticut outside the State Capitol, where they wrapped the Capitol in prayer.
“Every year, our state funds the education of white students with $639 million more than students of color. Hear that number again: $639 million more, every single year. This is unacceptable! This is immoral,” said Bishop Theodore Brooks, senior pastor of Beulah Heights First Pentecostal Church in New Haven and presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.
Pastor Jeremy Williams, senior pastor of Phillips Metropolitan CME Church in Hartford, then asked legislators, “Yes or No: Do you commit to use your power to secure $10 million additional dollars for education across Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, and New Britain in the current biennial budget; and in the next legislative session, pass antiracist legislation to close Connecticut’s racial funding gap by the time federal dollars run out?”
Legislators responded affirmatively and commented as follows.
“I want to thank Toni Walker from New Haven for her tireless advocacy to add more money into the budget… Everybody in that chamber, they hear you, they know you’re here, they can feel your power, and they can feel your prayers. So, keep it up. We’re going to work for you, we’re going to support you,” said Speaker of the House Matt Ritter in response to demands.
“The issues that you’re advocating here today also apply in a place like East Hartford,” said Rep. Rojas. “We need to ensure that we are lifting up everybody who is in an economic disadvantage and not getting the appropriate education that they deserve.”
“We’ve made gains around ECS over the last few years… But as we all know, things remain separate and definitely not equal,” said Rep. Currey. “We know that the governor is listening. We appreciate the time he’s taken, but the time for passive participation is over and we need action. The governor and his administration can continue to celebrate workforce initiatives, various pipelines, and free college education, but unless we invest in our students at the K-12 level, none of that matters.”
“I always like to say I survived the Bridgeport public school system, but there are nine children for every one of me that did not get through,” said Rep. Felipe. “They like to tell us that Bridgeport children can’t learn the same as a child right down the street in Fairfield — that is not right, that is not something we should stand for, and I will not stand for. I want to bring more people with me. I don’t want you to have that experience for your children, I don’t want to have that experience for my children.”
“I commit to additional funding, that’s a no brainer,” said Rep. McGee. “My children are Black — two Black, beautiful young girls, and I am a product of the Hartford public school system. It’s good for us to talk to people who understand our struggles. It’s equally important and good that we share this struggle with people who don’t necessarily look like you.”
“Make sure that you let the governor know it’s time to put actions along with his words, and I don’t mean with a couple of million, I mean with the tens of millions that we are committing to you to fight for our children,” said Rep. Nolan. “We’ve put up with this for too long. We know the disparities in our state. We appreciate what the governor is doing, but we can’t we can’t take the little steps anymore. It’s time for big steps. It’s time for It’s time for you to put money in places that are going to be equal for all kids.”
For more information about FaithActs for Education, visit faithacts.org.
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About FaithActs for Education: FaithActs for Education is a Black-led, faith-based community organizing nonprofit consisting of 6,000 committed voters, 11,000 congregants, 500 members, and 80 churches across the state. We are people of faith building power to get our children the education they deserve. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to graduate from college, take care of their family, and fulfill their God-given potential. We build relationships, we build leaders, and we build power through community organizing and civic engagement. faithacts.org
