I got an email from Brad Lander, who is running for City Council in the 39th District, and the subject line said: Thursday 3am.
I got all excited because I imagined that Lander had some breaking news that he wanted to share at three in the morning.
Well, it wasn't that at all.
But it was kinda cool. Last night and this morning, Brad was a participant in the 25th Annual Interfaith Vigil for Homelessness in Foley Square Park. That's where he was writing from. Or was he? Did he really write it from the park? He had his computer with him? He wasn't, like, sleeping? Or do you have to stay up all night on this vigil? Maybe so.
Whatever. At least he thought to write.
Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing is committed to
confronting the unconscionable reality of homelessness in New York
City. Their annual vigil is one small way of bearing witness to the
personal reality of homelessness, and joining in solidarity to end it.
At a time when more NYC families are homeless than ever before, we must
recommit ourselves to insuring that every family has a safe, decent,
affordable place to live. I hope you'll check out their website at www.iahh.org and consider making a contribution.
It's an interesting sounding event. I checked out the website and it starts with an interfaith service a St. Paul's Chapel. After that begins the Overnight Vigil for Housing Justice in Foley Square. That is followed by a closing meditation and a Public Policy Breakfast in the office of the Public Advocate.
Later at the breakfast they gave out the 2009 Builders of the Blessed City awards. This year's winners: City Councilmember Gale Brewer, Michael McKee, tenant leader and the Very Reverend James Parks Morton.