Florida Faith Leaders Mobilize at State Capitol To Support Democracy, Defend Immigrant Communities‍

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — On Thursday, January 22, 2026, dozens of faith leaders from across Florida will hold a Moral Mobilization at the State Capitol in Tallahassee. They will speak out for democracy, equality, and the dignity of immigrants and all communities, as part of a coordinated day of advocacy and public witness organized by Interfaith Alliance of Florida and other Florida grassroots faith organizations.

The multifaith coalition will meet with legislators to advance shared priorities, including defending religious freedom, protecting the safety and dignity of immigrant communities, opposing efforts to force religion into public schools, and upholding fair representative districts as a cornerstone of democracy in the state. At 9 am ET, faith leaders and lawmakers, including Representative Angie Nixon, will hold a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda, located between the Senate and House chambers. Participating groups will include Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), OneJax, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC).

“People of faith across this state will not stay silent as lawmakers debate policies that affect the dignity and freedom of our communities,” said Rev. Dr. Sharon Harris-Ewing of Naples, president of the Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida. “We are here to remind elected officials that true moral leadership means upholding democratic rights and safety for all Floridians – not pushing through a narrow agenda of cruelty and repression.”

“Our faith traditions teach us to welcome the stranger—not to pursue them, hunt them, detain them, or criminalize their existence, but to meet them with compassion, humanity, and care,” said pastor Rev. Dr. Joseph (Joe) Parramore. “Faith demands justice. Democracy demands participation. As Florida faith leaders, we are rallying to stand for both.”

The advocacy day takes place as Florida enters a consequential legislative session, impacting policies on immigration, public education, democratic representation, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. Faith leaders are alarmed that Florida has recently served as a testing ground for policies aligned with Christian nationalist ideology. For instance, the Florida Board of Education recently became the first state to adopt a set of principles for public schools developed by the far-right group behind Project 2025. It has also seen some of the most inhumane treatment of immigrants in the nation, at detention facilities like the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz.” In response to these developments, faith leaders and communities across the state have organized widespread protests and vigils to reject discrimination and stand up for their democratic values

On January 22, faith leaders will oppose extreme policies and practices, including growing censorship and book banning, which restrict access to diverse ideas rather than nurturing inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive. They will also speak out against the push for mid-decade redistricting, an effort to make the state’s legislative districts less representative and fair. 

Faith leaders are available for interviews to discuss why they are coming to Tallahassee this month, what they are urging lawmakers to prioritize during the 2026 session, and how faith communities are organizing to defend democracy and human dignity across Florida.

Contact: Ben DePasquale, [email protected]

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‍‍Interfaith Alliance and Interfaith Alliance Foundation are a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information, visit interfaithalliance.org.