Throughout New York state, thousands of people on college campuses, in union halls, congregations representing a range of religious and political beliefs, will fast for 40 hours beginning today to protest “America’s Broken Promise” and reflect on the immorality of an economic system that “legally” steals from the poor to give to the rich.

The annual fast—this is the 11th year—is one of the major events sponsored by the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition. Throughout the year, the coalition, composed of union, student and religious groups, challenges economic injustice by waging fights to stop schools from buying sweatshop garments, advance living wage campaigns and support workers’ rights for farm workers and immigrants.      

This year, the fast is focusing attention on how ordinary citizens end up paying the price for prosperity enjoyed by a few. For example, last year, the U.S. government gave $7 billion in tax breaks to the largest energy companies, including ExxonMobil, which made $75,000 in profit every minute. Yet, the number of children in this country living in poverty jumped to 13 million.

As the NYS Labor-Religion Coalition brochure on the fast puts it:

America has broken its promise, that in this country, all would have access to the necessities of life. Instead we see a string of deliberate policy decisions favoring the rich and powerful, and keeping the poor outside the American Dream.

The fast begins at 8 p.m. March 15 and continues until noon on March 17. Forty hours is a symbolic number in religions, representing the 40 days of Lent, the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, and for America’s workers, the 40-hour workweek won after years of struggle.

During the fast, participants reflect on the immorality of poverty in a rich society and often decide to act to help end poverty. The coalition is asking New Yorkers who join the fast to follow the federal and state budget deliberations and call legislators to demand that more money go to funding services for the poor.

If you want to contribute to or learn more about the coalition or join the fast, visit the coalition’s website or call Brian O’Shaughnessy at 518-213-6000, ext. 6294.

by James Parks