On May 5, 2025, a pivotal event unfolded on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, marking another chapter in the ongoing struggle for justice and equity in American society.
Known as Moral Monday: A Season of Prayer and Action , this gathering brought together a diverse coalition of national faith leaders, grassroots activists, and individuals directly impacted by systemic inequities. Their shared mission? To protest what they describe as a “deadly federal budget” that threatens to dismantle essential safety nets for millions of Americans.
This protest was not merely a political statement but a deeply spiritual act of resistance, rooted in the belief that public policies must reflect moral imperatives.
The event carried particular significance as it followed the arrest of three prominent clergy members just one week prior. Among those detained was Bishop William J. Barber II, a towering figure in the modern civil rights movement, who had been offering prayerful protest inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. The arrests were framed by organizers as a “sacred act of truth-telling and moral resistance,” highlighting the urgency of their cause.
As Bishop Barber and his fellow clergy stood firm in their convictions, they issued a powerful declaration: “We bowed our heads in prayer where too many lawmakers bow to lobbyists. We will not be silent while children go hungry, the sick are denied care, and the poor are sacrificed on the altar of an unjust budget.”
This Moral Monday gathering was led by a coalition of influential voices within the faith community, including Rev. Dr. Hanna Broome, National Religious Director of Repairers of the Breach; Rev. Dr. Alvin O’Neal Jackson of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Shane Claiborne of Red Letter Christians; and Ariel Gold of the Fellowship of Reconciliation.
These leaders, joined by clergy in full vestments, stood alongside workers, low-wage families, and individuals grappling with the harsh realities of poverty, medical debt, and housing insecurity. Together, they formed a united front against a budget they believe perpetuates systemic injustice, calling on lawmakers to prioritize humanity over politics.
The protest was more than a demonstration—it was a moral reckoning. Organizers sought to expose the human cost of proposed federal cuts, framing them not merely as policy decisions but as acts of violence against the most vulnerable. By holding this event at the U.S. Supreme Court, they aimed to underscore the constitutional obligation of the government to promote the general welfare and secure equal protection for all.
As Bishop Barber poignantly remarked, “You cannot pray P-R-A-Y at the opening of Congress and then pass a budget that preys P-R-E-Y on the poor. To do so is not only heresy—it is pastoral malpractice.” With these words, he crystallized the central argument of the day: that morality and governance must intersect to create a society where no one is left behind.
Unveiling the Deadly Budget: A Blueprint for Policy Violence
At the heart of the protest lies a contentious federal budget proposal that has ignited outrage among advocates for social justice. Organizers have labeled this budget a “policy weapon,” asserting that its provisions would inflict widespread harm on the nation’s most vulnerable populations. One of the most alarming aspects of the proposal is its plan to strip Medicaid coverage from 36 million Americans—a move projected to result in approximately 56,000 preventable deaths annually.
For millions of low-income individuals, seniors, and people with disabilities, Medicaid represents a lifeline, providing access to critical healthcare services. Removing this support would leave countless families without the resources to manage chronic illnesses, afford life-saving medications, or seek emergency care. The ripple effects of such cuts would extend far beyond individual households, burdening already strained community health systems and deepening disparities in health outcomes.
Equally concerning is the proposed rollback of food assistance programs, which would eliminate vital nutritional support for 15 million children. Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and school meal initiatives are often the only source of consistent nourishment for families living below the poverty line.
Stripping away these supports would force parents into impossible choices between feeding their children and covering other basic needs, exacerbating cycles of hunger and poverty. For children, the consequences could be devastating—malnutrition during formative years can lead to lifelong physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, further entrenching generational inequality.
Housing insecurity also looms large under the proposed budget, which seeks to slash federal funding for affordable housing initiatives. These cuts would disproportionately impact families, veterans, and seniors who rely on subsidized housing programs to maintain stable living conditions. Without adequate support, many would face eviction, homelessness, or unsafe living environments, compounding the struggles of those already marginalized by systemic inequities.
Meanwhile, the budget allocates an additional $86 billion to the Pentagon, much of which is earmarked for immigration enforcement and deportation infrastructure. Critics argue that this reallocation of resources reflects misplaced priorities, funneling taxpayer dollars toward militarization rather than addressing pressing domestic needs.
Organizers frame these measures not as mere policy decisions but as acts of institutionalized violence. Starving a child, denying a worker a living wage, or ignoring the plight of the sick, they argue, constitutes a deliberate assault on human dignity. Bishop Barber encapsulated this sentiment with piercing clarity: “Even the lack of willpower to help humanity is a sick and sinister form of violence—especially when you have the power to make a difference.” By exposing the human toll of these proposals, the coalition seeks to galvanize public outrage and demand accountability from lawmakers who prioritize corporate interests over the welfare of their constituents.
A Moral Crisis Demands a Moral Response: Faith Leaders Confront Injustice
The protest transcended mere opposition to a flawed budget, evolving into a profound moral critique of systemic inequities entrenched within American society. Nearly 800 people die daily from poverty-related causes in the United States, a staggering statistic that underscores the urgency of addressing economic disparities.
Faith leaders assert that the proposed budget would exacerbate this crisis, particularly harming Black, Brown, Indigenous, rural, disabled, and elderly communities—groups that have historically borne the brunt of systemic neglect. By shielding billionaires and large corporations from accountability while stripping essential resources from the most vulnerable, the budget epitomizes what Bishop Barber calls “pastoral malpractice.” This term captures the ethical failure of leaders who claim moral authority yet enact policies antithetical to the principles of justice and compassion.
Central to the protest’s message was a call for Congress to uphold the preamble of the U.S. Constitution, which pledges to establish justice, promote the general welfare, and secure equal protection for all. Organizers argued that the proposed budget violates these foundational commitments, prioritizing wealth accumulation for the few over the well-being of the many.
They framed their critique not only as a matter of policy but as a moral imperative, urging lawmakers to recognize the human cost of their decisions. Bishop Barber’s poignant analogy—”You cannot pray P-R-A-Y at the opening of Congress and then pass a budget that preys P-R-E-Y on the poor”—resonated deeply, challenging elected officials to align their actions with their professed values. Through prayer, song, and testimony, the coalition demanded a course correction, insisting that true leadership requires courage to confront injustice and advocate for transformative change.
Conclusion: A Sacred Mandate for Change
As the echoes of prayer and protest faded from the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, the message of Moral Monday remained clear: silence in the face of injustice is complicity. Bishop Barber’s impassioned declaration—“To do so is not only heresy—it is pastoral malpractice”—served as both a rebuke and a rallying cry, urging faith leaders and citizens alike to hold lawmakers accountable.
The coalition’s call to action extends beyond the immediate fight against a harmful budget; it demands a sustained commitment to dismantling systemic inequities and building a society rooted in justice, compassion, and equity. By amplifying the voices of those most affected by policy violence, Moral Monday has reignited a movement that insists on nothing less than transformative change.
