Press Release Links

Through the press release links (right) you can learn more about GBIO events and campaigns. Reporters who would like to learn more about GBIO activities should contact GBIO Lead Organizer Cheri Andes.

Leaders transforming Greater Boston

Press Releases

Media > Press Releases


Hospitals, Healthcare Workers and Patient Advocates Unite to Oppose Proposed Federal Funding Cuts BOSTON – Leaders from across the Massachusetts healthcare spectrum joined together today to oppose proposed Medicare and Medicaid funding cuts Congress is now considering as part of an agreement on national debt reduction.
Religious Leaders of Greater Boston Take Stand Against Usurious Rates by Moving Their Money out of Bank of America On November 17, 2010, 113 religious leaders from across Greater Boston gathered in front of Bank of America’s Government Center branch to protest the bank’s usurious lending practices by moving their money.At the gathering, 136 individuals (represented by leaders of their religious institutions) as well as heads of two major religious institutions - Hope Central Church in Boston and First Church in Cambridge, UCC – closed their accounts. Dr. Jeanette Callahan of Bethel AME church said,"I moved my money out of Bank of America today because this bank is no longer about Main Street and all about WallStreet.”
Baker, Cahill, Patrick, Stein Stand United Against Questions 2, 3 On October 17, 2010, Mr. Charles Baker, Treas. Timothy Cahill, Gov. Deval Patrick, and Dr. Jill Stein signed a joint statement condemning Ballot Questions 2 and 3 at a gathering of 1,200 leaders of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) at Temple Israel of Boston. Clergy, youth, and lay leaders from over 55 congregations in greater Boston responded to the candidates’ signing with a rousing standing ovation. “We applaud the candidates for displaying a kind of moral leadership that sets an example for our state and nation,” said Rev. Dan Smith who co-chaired the meeting, “With these major threats facing our communities, getting beyond party politics is critical.”
Dearborn Middle School Leaders Win Commitments from Treasurer Cahill and Mayor Menino for School’s Academic Turnaround and Renovation On April 26 from 7-8:30 pm at the Dearborn Middle School, over four hundred students, parents, teachers, and community leaders met with Treasurer and Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Chair Timothy Cahill, MSBA Executive Director Katherine Craven, Mayor Thomas Menino and Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson. These leaders received commitments from each public official to support their school’s academic turnaround vision and to do everything in their power to make sure that the Dearborn is renovated as a 6-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Demonstration Academy with expanded day learning as soon as possible.
Treasurer Cahill Will Divest over $100 Million of MA Dollars out of Bank of America if it Will Not Follow State Usury Laws State Treasurer Timothy Cahill agreed to divest over $100 million of Massachusetts tax payer’s dollars out of Bank of America if the bank refuses to follow state usury laws at a public meeting with four hundred clergy and lay leaders of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) last night. Massachusetts law currently limits consumer interest rates at 18% for banks chartered in the state, while Bank of America is currently able to operate with no limit at all.
State Treasurer Cahill Stands with Faith Leaders in Fight against Usury Clergy and lay leaders of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) have launched a campaign against the unfettered, usurious practices of the nation’s largest banks and will be joined by Timothy Cahill, Treasurer of Massachusetts, on Wednesday, March 24th at 7:30pm at Old South Church in Copley Square in putting pressure on banks to change their ways at GBIO’s “Economic Accountability Night.”
GBIO Faith Leaders Demand Commitments from Next Senator Attorney General Martha Coakley, Representative Michael Capuano, Mr. Alan Khazei, and Mr. Steve Pagliuca have all agreed to meet with 600 leaders of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO)’s 55 member congregations at 7:00pm on Sunday, November 15th at Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain, co-pastored by the Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond, founder and chairman of the Ten Point Coalition, and the Rev. Dr. Gloria White-Hammond, co-chair of the Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur.
Newton Congregations and GBIO Forge Political Ties with Next Mayor at Unprecedented Community Event Oct. 15, 2009, Newton, Mass. -- In an unprecedented political development and a sign of shifting political power in this Boston suburb, an organization of churches and synagogues obtained commitments for collaboration on their political platform from the two candidates for mayor of Newton this Wednesday, October 14.
Citizen Leaders in Five U.S. Cities and London Launch Anti-Usury Campaign The Metro Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) proclaims: “Ten Percent is Enough!” Clergy and lay leaders from the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, the Metro IAF-affiliate in Greater Boston will kick off a national campaign to re-instate caps on the usurious interest rates that have devastated millions of families and undermined the global economy.