Civic Engagement in the Public Square: Reclaim Riverside's Future

09/06/2012 6 PM

 WHEN: Thursday, September 6^th, 2012 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

During Riverside Arts Walk

Street Theater: 6:20p.m.

Press Conference: 6:35p.m.

WHERE:          On the Steps of First Congregational Church’s Parish House, Downtown Riverside 3755 Lemon Street side, Riverside, CA

WHAT:           Press Conference with the County Superintendent of Education and other clergy and education speakers, preceded by a street theater performance by local students ages sixteen to twenty-two, to educate Riverside voters about the importance of voting to support public education.

WHO:             Rev. Hannah Burke- Associate Pastor of First Congregational Church of Riverside

           Rabbi Suzanne Singer- Temple Beth El

           Kenneth Young- Riverside County Superintendent of Schools

           Dr. Richard Miller- Riverside Unified School District Superintendent

          Mikki Cichocki- California Teachers Association Secretary-Treasure

          Olivia Cichocki – Riverside High School Student

WHY:              Our clergy, students, and educators are deeply concerned about threatened cuts to education funding and its impact on our future leaders. One Jan.1, 2013, Riverside Public Schools will lose more than $18 million dollars unless voters pass Proposition 30 on the November ballot. Deep cuts would also be made to Riverside’s community college, UC Riverside and Cal State San Bernardino. The California State University system is planning on closing spring admissions at most campuses next year if voters reject Prop 30, and may need to cut enrollment further. The Inland Empire’s faith and education communities are united in urging citizens to vote and to remember the importance of public education in making California a land of opportunity for all.

                        This event is the first in a series of clergy-led “Prophetic Voices” events organized by PICO California, in which clergy from San Francisco to San Diego will urge Californians to vote their values in November. For a calendar of Prophetic Voices events see www.picocalifornia.org/events

VISUALS:        Clergy in religious vestments, students performing a skit, large turnout of students and local residents, volunteers doing voter registration at Arts Walk, signs & posters regarding voting & Proposition 30

BACKGROUND: ICUC is a faith based, grassroots nonpartisan federation of 30 member interfaith congregations representing more than 50,000 families across the Inland Empire. The mission of ICUC is to help transform Inland Empire communities by empowering people of faith to work in the civic arena for the common good. ICUC is a member of PICO California, a network of 19 local federations representing 480 congregations and over 450,000 families from Placer to San Diego.

ICUC and PICO California are members of Reclaim California, a broad coalition of community groups, faith based organizations, educators, and unions committed to restoring critical funding for schools and services and to rebuilding the state’s crumbling roads, bridges, and economy.

ICUC and PICO California are members of Reclaim California, a broad coalition of community groups, faith based organizations, educators, and unions committed to restoring critical funding for schools and services and to rebuilding the state’s crumbling roads, bridges, and economy.

RECLAIM RIVERSIDE: VOTE FOR EDUCATION
Press Conference & Street Theater Performance

Thursday, September 6, 2012 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
First Congregational Church’s Parish House
3755 Lemon Street, Riverside CA