FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
April 20, 2018
Steve Marshall
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
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ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL TO HOST “FAITH FORUMS” ACROSS
ALABAMA IN APRIL AND MAY
MONTGOMERY FAITH FORUM SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 26th
(MONTGOMERY) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall will host four “Faith Forums”
across the state in April and May, including in Montgomery on April 26. The Faith Forums
will engage religious leaders of all faiths and traditions on confronting the challenges posed by
increasing violent crime, security risks at places of worship, and the opioid crisis.
The Faith Forums are a byproduct of the Attorney General’s service on the Alabama Opioid
Overdose and Addiction Council, which emphasized the need for increased community
engagement, and his Initiative on Violent Crime, designed to help communities reclaim their
streets and neighborhoods.
“Whether Alabamians realize it or not, we are in a state of emergency on two fronts – violent
crime and addiction,” said Attorney General Marshall. “We have the unfortunate distinctions
of ranking first in the nation for the number of painkiller prescriptions per capita, while also
ranking in the top 10 of states with high violent crime rates. I firmly believe that the faith
community can be part of the solution on both fronts and follow in the footsteps of my
predecessor, Bill Pryor, in asking for their help. Increased outreach and engagement can be the
difference maker in the life of an addict or a would-be criminal – I have witnessed that
firsthand – but to be successful, we must be willing to reach outside of our own circles and
fellowships. These forums will give church leaders tools and guidance on effective
engagement, but also an opportunity to shares their own experiences and ideas.”
Keynoting the Faith Forums will be Shannon Royce, Director of Faith-Based and Neighborhood
Partnerships for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Robert T. Thetford,
Treasurer and Operations Manager, Institute for Criminal Justice Education; and Attorney
General Steve Marshall.
Faith Forum Schedule:
Montgomery:
April 26, 2018, 8:30 a.m.-Noon – Church of the Highlands, 4255 Taylor Road, Montgomery, AL
36116
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov Page 2 of 2
Mobile:
May 1, 2018, 1-4:30 p.m. – Mount Hebron Church Ministries, 2531 Berkley Avenue, Mobile, AL
36617
Birmingham:
May 3, 2018, 1-4:30 p.m. – Briarwood Presbyterian Church, 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham,
AL 35243
Huntsville:
May 15, 2018, 8:30 a.m.-Noon – The Rock Family Worship Center, 3401 Holmes Avenue NW,
Huntsville, AL 35816
Any interested members of the faith community are urged to attend one of the Attorney
General’s Faith Forums. To attend a Faith Forum, please RSVP with the Attorney General’s
Office by:
- Registering online at https://agstevemarshall.eventbrite.com;
- E-mailing rsvp@ago.state.al.us (please include your full name and the Faith Forum you wish to
attend); or - Calling (334) 242-7401.
Click this link to download Attorney General Marshall’s Faith Forums flyer.
Click this link to view Attorney General Marshall’s video statement about the Faith Forums.
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