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Opening Interfaith Service--Fast 2001 for New York's Working Poor
Simon Delagado, an onion field worker and member of the Independent Farmworkers' Center (Centro Independiente de Trabajadores Agricolas, CITA) gives testimony to underscore the need for justice for New York's invisible workers at the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany at the beginning of the 40-hour Fast on March 27, 2001. Speakers at the the interfaith service included Bishop Daniel Herzog, Episcopal Diocese of Albany (back, left), Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, Jr., Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui, Al-Hidaya Mosque, Rabbi Debora Gordon, Congregation Berith Sholom and Thomas Y. Hobart, Jr., President of New York State United Teachers (back, right) Fast services and events were held in Brockport, Buffalo, Long Island, New Paltz, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica. Participating legislators included NYS Assembly members Ron Canestrari, Patricia Eddington, Diane Gordon, Adam Clayton Powell, Kate Murray and Pat Manning as well as Senators Richard A.Dollinger, Thomas Morahan and Olga Mendez. "Despite New York's economic boom, our state's low income workers have fallen even further behind," said Hobart. An increase in New York's minimum wage, from the present poverty level of $5.15 an hour to $6.75 was one of the goals of the fast. Both religion and labor have long histories of fasting to insist that the dignity of all be respected, and the poor receive their just share of the fruits of their labors. Last Updated: 11/07/01
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