A multi-denominational coalition of clergy endorses Brandon Johnson

Photograph caption: MAYORAL HOPEFUL BRANDON JOHNSON on Monday, March 20, thanked people and organizations endorsing him for mayor, vowing that come April 4 there shall be a instructor on the fifth flooring of Metropolis Corridor. (Photograph by Parthenia Luke)

Greater than 300 ministers enthusiastically endorsed Brandon Johnson for mayor throughout a press convention on Tuesday, March 21, on the Larger Harvest Baptist Church, 5141 S. State St., the place they laid out their case why “Brandon is best” than contender Paul Vallas who they are saying is improper for Chicago.

The multi-denominational coalition of ministers mentioned they have been making the endorsement of Johnson within the spirit of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who they known as “a prophet of social justice, an advocate of the beloved neighborhood and a peacemaking servant.” They mentioned Johnson “will finish the story of two cities.”

In accepting the mass endorsement Johnson, the son and grandson of Church of God in Christ ministers, mentioned, “I acknowledge that this second is way greater than a person dream. This journey for justice began a while in the past.”

Johnson mentioned because the son and grandson of ministers he was instructed, “We come this far by religion, however I additionally know that you simply received to place in some work. We will’t be afraid to place in some work as a result of town of Chicago wants staff particularly whereas it’s daytime as a result of within the day time, you possibly can truly see the story of two cities.”

If elected, Johnson mentioned he’ll “lastly disrupt this story of two cities and usher in a greater, stronger, safer united Chicago.”

REV. MARSHALL HATCH on the podium of an occasion hosted
by mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson explaining why he fired
Paul Vallas. (Photograph by Chinta Strausberg)

Reverend Marshall Hatch, pastor of the New Mount Pilgrim MBC, shocked the viewers when he revealed he fired Vallas again in 2018 when Vallas was Chief Administrative Officer at Chicago State College. Vallas was appointed by the Board, which Hatch chaired on the behest of then-Republican Governor Bruce Rauner.

The Chicago Crusader requested why he fired Vallas in 2018. Hatch mentioned, “Vallas wished my job. Governor Rauner mentioned he most well-liked Vallas to be the Chairman of the Board throughout his press convention as a result of he thought Paul may save the college, however I used to be the Chairman of the Board,” Hatch mentioned.

“Then Vallas wished to be president of Chicago State College with out the stipulations…. I had extra levels than he did,” mentioned Hatch.

Vallas has a bachelor’s diploma from Western Illinois College in political science and historical past and a grasp’s diploma in political science.

Hatch has a bachelor’s diploma from Western Illinois College in political science and historical past, a grasp’s diploma in authorities from Georgetown College, a grasp’s diploma in theological research from the McCormick Theological Seminary, and a doctorate of ministry from the McCormick Theological Seminary.

Hatch additionally teaches on the school of McCormick, and he teaches on the school of Northern Baptist Seminary and is on the board of the Baptist Theological Union that holds the endowment for the College of Chicago Divinity College.

Hatch mentioned Vallas doesn’t have a background in training. “He’s a monetary fixer the way in which he fancies himself, though the proof suggests he’s not superb at that both,” Hatch mentioned, emphasizing Brandon “is best for Chicago.”

Hatch mentioned the Board removed Vallas after studying he deliberate to run for mayor in 2019.

Vallas additionally unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2002 and for Lieutenant Governor in 2014. Hatch mentioned Vallas labored at Chicago State College for eight months and allegedly did “nothing to avoid wasting the college in the course of the “legislative, fiscal standoff” in Springfield.

Reverend Ira Acree, pastor of the Larger St. John Bible Church, mentioned Johnson is a younger man who’s “actually a breath of recent air. He has the center in addition to the intangibles wanted to steer a various metropolis like ours into being the world class place she was destined to develop into.”

Referring to the coalition of religion leaders, Acree mentioned, “We’re excited and unapologetic about supporting his historic candidacy. He’s an informed and well-spoken Black man. He has deep roots within the religion neighborhood. He’s the son and grandson of pastors and a household man who has overcome unimaginable odds.”

Of the entire 9 mayoral candidates, Acree mentioned Johnson “is the one candidate from day one who clearly and persistently verbalized his dedication to finish Chicago’s ugly story of two cities.” He mentioned Johnson has promised to finish a long time of financial disinvestment on the South and West sides, Acree says, “that has destroyed far too many households.”

In evaluating Johnson to Vallas, Acree mentioned each have “two highly effective unions. Properly, I’ll take my possibilities with collaborating with the lecturers earlier than handing the reigns over to FOP and its MAGA chief. We all know who Brandon is, however Paul Vallas retains reinventing himself when alternatives come.

“It is a blue state. Why ought to we elect a Republican to go our metropolis?” requested Acree. “Paul Vallas is harmful. We don’t want a MAGA man in Metropolis Corridor. He’s a DINO…a Democrat in Title Solely.”

Johnson is seeking to rework town, vowing to supply providers to all sides of Chicago. He mentioned he has been everywhere in the metropolis of Chicago and that “the infrastructure of this damaged system is shaking. We can’t permit politics and the failures of previous to attempt to restore the harm that they created. We don’t reside in concern, or doubt or trepidation.

“We will reside out our hopes. It’s time to flip our hopes into votes and switch our votes into coverage to verify the coverage reaches the neighborhood,” mentioned Johnson.

He promised to put money into the folks of Chicago and to supply entry to all facilities together with jobs, dependable transportation, fully-funded neighborhood colleges and an environmentally secure Chicago.

On the April 4 runoff election that falls on the assassination date of Dr. King, Johnson mentioned, “April 4 isn’t just about an assassination. It’s in regards to the resurrection of town of Chicago.”

He urged all people to vote and mentioned the fifth flooring of Metropolis Corridor “is sufficiently big for everyone.”