Media Advisory: “Nuns on the Ferry”

Contact: Stephanie Niedringhaus, Communications Coordinator, NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby – 202-347-9797 x224, sniedringhaus@networklobby.org

“Nuns” Movement Arrives in New York City…On a Ferry

Movement for a Faithful Budget Continues as Faith Leaders Hop off Bus and Board the Ferry
Washington DC: The widely-publicized “Nuns on the Bus” movement will finally arrive in New York City on Monday, except they won’t be on a bus – they’ll be on the Staten Island Ferry. Coming off of successful stops Upstate, the New York Nuns will be joined for the first time by Sister Simone Campbell, who recently wowed audiences at the Democratic National Convention.

The “Nuns on a Bus Tour” has already stopped in Binghamton, Cortland, Utica and Syracuse to demonstrate how budget cuts proposed by Vice-Presidential candidate Paul Ryan and endorsed by Staten Island Congressman Michael Grimm and Mitt Romney will hurt struggling families throughout New York.

“The proposed cuts of Representative Ryan in the Ryan Budget are immoral and unjustifiable and will be putting the burden on the poor,” said Father Fred Daily of All Saints Church last month in Syracuse. “I think that all people of faith should be in the streets proclaiming the immorality of these proposed cuts.”

The Romney-Ryan budget would harm services such as nutrition assistance, early childhood education and job training that provide pathways out of poverty for millions of families.

Faith leaders have joined together to say that there is an alternative. They have created the “Faithful Budget,” which they will be presenting to Congressman Michael Grimm to consider as an alternative to the Romney-Ryan budget. The Faithful Budget promotes comprehensive and compassionate budget principles that promote economic justice.

“Nuns on the Ferry” Tour Schedule for Monday, September 24, 2012:

• 11:30 a.m. – Press conference outside South Ferry terminal in lower Manhattan
• 12:00 noon – Depart on Ferry to Staten Island
• 12:45 p.m. – Community rally outside Staten Island Borough Hall, directly opposite St. George terminal
• 1:30 p.m. – Depart on Staten Island Railroad (SIR) from St. George terminal
• 1:50 p.m. – Arrive in New Dorp area for a requested meeting at Rep. Grimm’s office

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