The “Vote Our Future” Tour Concludes in San Francisco

Ana Garcia-Ashley, bus rider and Executive Director of Gamaliel, speaks movingly at the Vote Our Future tour closing rally, with young people behind her.

Writer: Ana Garcia-Ashley, Gamaliel

The weather in San Francisco was as warm and welcoming as the justice leaders who greeted our Bus Staff, Sisters, partners, riders, and NETWORK teammates on our first stop in the city. Hosted by Mission Action at St. Mary & St. Martha Lutheran Church—formerly known as Dolores Street Community Services—Jackeline Rodriguez and her dedicated team shared over 40 years of Mission District advocacy for social change. This stop was a powerful sendoff to the final rally for the 2024 Nuns on the Bus & Friends.

As we gathered at Marina Green in San Francisco for the “Vote Our Future” tour closing rally, I felt immense gratitude for Laura Peralta-Schulte, NETWORK’s Senior Director of Public Policy and Government Relations, who has been like our Burning Bush, bringing God’s sacred light, energy, and inspiration to our journey.

Sr. Richelle Friedman, PBVM followed with a strong message, offering a moving summary of the work accomplished by Nuns on the Bus & Friends and supporters from Philadelphia to San Francisco. She highlighted the powerful efforts around health care, living wages, democracy, racial justice, tax justice, climate justice, and housing, urging all people of faith to “Vote Our Future.”

She stated, “Our theme Vote Our Future is based on values we hold because we believe that if we [vote our future], everyone will thrive. We are urging those we meet on all our stops to be multi-issue voters. To vote for candidates who will promote the common good, this means advocating for elected officials who support policies that will give everyone the freedoms to thrive and have an affordable and safe place to live.” Religious and union leaders like Sister Patricia Harney and Xochitl Oseguera echoed this call, rallying together to support our shared values.

Nuns on the Bus & Friends riders and staff celebrate the closing of a successful Vote Our Future tour!

Among us was a large, enthusiastic crowd of high school students eager to learn and support our message. It was an honor to invite them to join in, to call on people everywhere to vote in support of the values we had championed across the country. Their energy was contagious as they eagerly asked if they could sign the bus, leaving their names as a symbol of young voices on this justice journey—a call to action for people of faith to vote their values.

Sr. Eilis McCulloh, HM, NETWORK’s Grassroots Education and Organizing Specialist, was a steady presence throughout the final leg of the tour and closed the event on a high note. This collaboration felt like the beginning of a meaningful, long-term partnership between NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice and Gamaliel, with so much promise for the future.

It was truly a blessing to work with such a committed group of justice advocates. Their love, patience, and meticulous care brought this event to life. I am so grateful to each of them for their hard work, and I look forward to the chance to work with all of you again soon.

This reflection is from the 2024 Nuns on the Bus & Friends bus rider blog.