The February 22nd Rally to End Poverty sponsored by London’s Multi-Faith Social Action Coalition was as great as any purpose-filled rally, complete with jazz band, singers, speakers and buckets of energy and good will throughout Wolf Performance Hall. The coalition was supported by the Mayor’s Advisory Panel on Poverty working on the complex issue of ending poverty in London.
Musical numbers were interspersed with leaders and representatives of many faith groups in London giving short presentations outlining the complexity of the current situation of poverty and urging all the faithful to stay the course in finding ways to alleviate the harsh conditions in which the poor live out their lives.
The old English tune, “The Streets of London,” accompanied by guitar and banjo related the sights and signs of poverty and oppression right before our eyes that we fail to see. This was juxtaposed to Sonja Gustafson’s upbeat rendition, “We Can Build a Beautiful City”.
Steven Stape of Temple Israel pointed out that although London’s efforts to address poverty reach back several decades, “we must reeducate ourselves to gain momentum and move forward”. To illustrate this forward thrust, a wave of enthusiasm swept the theatre as two members of the Scallywags urged the crowd in song “to dream a little larger, walk a little further and sing a little louder if we want to change the world”. In addition, Dr. Wael Haddara of the Muslim community pointed out, “We must create societal ways that will work in order to eradicate poverty”.
Sue Wilson, a Sister of St. Joseph, built on Dr. Haddara’s statement by alluding to the systemic change that must occur “to bring about the sort of justice that is doable and will eradicate poverty”. Such justice would mean a living wage for workers and a guaranteed livable income for all so that there can be a roof overhead, food on the table and education for all. To reach this attainable goal requires, “a strong social consensus that makes justice the criterion by which city council make its decisions”.
As if to join forces and endorse the belief and desire for strong social consensus, the audience joyfully joined Sarah Gustafson and the entire musical ensemble for a rousing rendition of “Lean on Me”. It witnessed to a resolve to go forward together and enlist our faith communities to raise our voices in a strong social consensus to remove poverty by bringing justice for all to the streets of London. It was a powerful ending to a memorable rally.
Jean Moylan, CSJ