Religious Leaders Pray, Teachers March for Justice

An ecumenical gathering of Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant religious leaders gathered at the Old First Church in Springfield yesterday to express their support for the Springfield's teachers who are fighting for a contract. The event was organized by the Pioneer Valley Project and the Springfield Education Association. View images.

After the speeches and prayer at Old First Church, a crowd of about 300 marched on the Springfield school department headquarters on State Street where participants left shirts, signifying the sacrifice the teachers have made, and shoes, signifying the teachers who have left to seek better opportunities, on the steps of the building.