Dear Massachusetts Residents of All Faiths:

We are writing to you with an invitation to pray with your feet and march with us from Lexington to Boston this Labor Day – Monday, September 1st, 9:00-5:00 – to sound the alarm for American democracy and to demand a more just and humane democracy that honors our shared sacred values.

On Friday, May 30th, hundreds of us marched this same route from Lexington to Boston, reversing Paul Revere’s ride for liberty 250 years ago to sound the alarm for democracy, as the actions of our current presidential administration regularly violate our shared sacred values and our constitutional rights. We stopped in Lexington, Arlington, Cambridge, and Boston to pray to God for the merciful and just rule of law from our federal administration, as well as the protection and preservation of our sacred values and democratic principles. We also brought a letter signed by over 300 Massachusetts clergy, addressed to members of our Congressional Delegation.

To join any portion of the march and prayers on September 1st, please register here.

If you have questions or would like more information, our leadership team will host question and response sessions for clergy and other religious leaders over zoom on Thursday, August 14th, from 6:00-6:45 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 19th from 8:30-9:15 a.m.

A printable flyer and handout to share with friends, family, and congregations is available here.

Join us on September 1st in our call to religious leaders around the country, and all our fellow Americans: calling for our President to obey the law and to respect the decisions of our courts and the rights of all American residents.

In our faith traditions and our American tradition, the President is not a dictator or tyrant. Instead, “the Law is King, and no person is above the law.” (Thomas Paine, Common Sense)

In Faith, Hope, and Power,

The Prayer for Freedom Organizing Team

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does the schedule look like on Monday, September 1st?

9:00 a.m. Hancock Church – parking, gathering, greeting

9:15 a.m. Opening prayer on Lexington Battle Green

9:45 a.m. Walk from Lexington to Arlington (~5.3 miles)

12:00 p.m. Prayer in Arlington Center – The lawn at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Arlington

12:30  Walk to Cambridge Commons (~3.5 Miles)

2:30 Prayer in Cambridge Center – Cambridge Commons

3:00 Walk to Boston Commons – 3.1 to 3.2 miles

5:00 Boston Prayer and Rally at the Common – Embrace Statue or Common Bandstand

 

Who can participate in the march? For what parts?

People of all faiths are invited to participate in any segment. We will walk relatively quickly between stops, in order to make it to each of our prayer gatherings on time. (See our schedule above.) For our friends who are disabled, tired, busy, etc., we welcome participation at any one of the prayer stops in Lexington, Arlington, Cambridge, or especially at our conclusion in Boston in lieu of marching.

 

Can I use my clothing, signage, and speech to protest other offenses at this event? 

While we respect the conscience, speech, and liberty of all our clergy and other participants, at this event we are focused on the preservation of our shared sacred values and democratic, constitutional governance. In our prayers and signage, we ask that participants not mention any other issues, however important they are to one’s conscience or community.

 

What should I bring? What should I wear?

Clergy are encouraged to wear any clothing identifying their tradition and/or role. We will have bathroom stops in Arlington and Cambridge. We recommend all participants bring a refillable water bottle, some snacks in your pocket, sunscreen and hat, and comfortable walking shoes!

For more information and to register, go to Prayersforliberty.org