On Wednesday, October 27, PIIN played a prominent role in a press conference and action called to urge Allegheny County President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark to seek an extension of the County’s moratorium on tenant evictions from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  PIIN’s partner Pittsburgh United organized the event.

Reverend Dave Swanson, the Chair of PIIN’s Spiritual Leaders’ Caucus, led PIIN’s involvement by giving an eloquent speech that placed the fight against tenant evictions in the context of the ancient and continuing struggle against economic and racial oppression.  Three other members of PIIN’s Executive Committee took part in the event. CLICK HERE to listen to the speech. CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the speech.

Following the press conference, many of the action’s participants walked across Grant Street to Judge Clark’s office and presented her with a petition requesting that she seek the extension of the eviction moratorium from the Supreme Court.

The action achieved its immediate objective, as Judge Clark honored our wishes and sought an extension of the moratorium. However, the Supreme Court declined her request, and now thousands of Pittsburgh families face the prospect of eviction as winter approaches.

We are sharing Reverend Swanson’s words with you because they explain why PIIN acts on the scriptures of our respective faith traditions to seek justice for those whom our society places in jeopardy.