Nehemiah Action Assembly Hosted by Charleston Area Justice Ministry
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.: On Monday night, the Charleston Area Justice Ministry (CAJM) hosted the 12th annual Nehemiah Action assembly at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. Hundreds of community members, organizers, and elected officials came together for the event.
Addressing Key Issues
Over the years, the CAJM has relentlessly addressed issues such as education, affordable housing, and reducing racial bias in policing. Due to their persistent efforts, the Charleston and the North Charleston Police Departments have undergone racial bias audits. The next step for this initiative includes community engagement through transparency and open dialogue, data collection, and independent monitoring.
Funds for Affordable Housing
The assembly celebrated the Charleston County Council’s decision to allocate $4.15 million in accommodation tax revenues for an affordable housing trust fund, a noteworthy achievement in the wake of a six-year campaign by the CAJM’s Housing Committee.
Restorative Practices in Education
The event also addressed the need for restorative practices in the Charleston County School District to minimize suspensions. Attendees also expressed their concerns over the potential profit-driven destruction of Gadsden Creek. To save the area, community members have planned an Earth Day clean-up session on April 22 from 3-4:30 p.m.
A Collective Voice for Change
Rev. Dr. Adam Shoemaker, co-president of CAJM and rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, underscored the strength of collective voices in making a change: “We believe that people power can help hold our public official accountable when we bring them in for public negotiations.”
Call for Public Participation
In the spirit of inclusivity, the CAJM, representing 40 multifaith, multicultural congregations, invites the public to join their house meetings in the Fall. By fostering public engagement, CAJM aims to get feedback on various issues and work towards a collective decision on the new issues they will address.
Future Meetings and Officials’ Involvement
Mayor William Cogswell, though invited, was absent from the recent event. The organizers of CAJM have scheduled a meeting with Mayor Cogswell in May. They aim to present their updated research and continue collaborating to foster equity and positive change in the community.
For more updates on the assembly and other activities, the organizers have invited the public to visit the CAJM website.
