FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
April 5, 2018
Steve Marshall
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 2
ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL TO HOST “FAITH FORUMS”
ACROSS ALABAMA IN APRIL AND MAY
(MONTGOMERY) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced his office will host
four “Faith Forums” across the state in April and May. 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 Attorney General’s Faith Forums will be held in Montgomery on April 26, in Mobile on
May 1, in Birmingham on May 3, and in Huntsville on May 15.
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 first
hand – 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.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov Page 2 of 2
Faith Forum Schedule:
April 26, 2018:
Montgomery, 8:30 a.m.-Noon – Church of the Highlands, 4255 Taylor Road, Montgomery, AL
36116
May 1, 2018:
Mobile, 1-4:30 p.m. – Mount Hebron Church Ministries, 2531 Berkley Avenue, Mobile, AL
36617
May 3, 2018:
Birmingham, 1-4:30 p.m. – Briarwood Presbyterian Chapel, 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham,
AL 35243
May 15, 2018:
Huntsville, 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 and may register by emailing rsvp@ago.state.al.us or by telephone at
334-242-7401.
Click this link to download the Attorney General’s Faith Forums flier.
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