Psalm 122
Esther 8:1-17
Revelation 2:8-11

The UCC's Office of Communications, Inc. (OC, Inc.), is asking the Federal Communications Commission to bring down predatory prison phone rates. During a midday rally in Washington D.C. for Strong Families, Safe Communities, sponsored by the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice, more than 150 people gathered to show support for the issue, with UCC President and General Minister the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black giving closing remarks and prayer.

Today, families or pastors attempting to call prisoners often have to spend as much as $200 per month to make a weekly telephone call. The FCC has considered lowering these rates for 10 years. The FCC needs to act, Black stated.

"The Federal Communications Commission has been working on this for 10 years," Black said at the rally. "The time for waiting is over. The time for action is now. We are looking forward to seeing the FCC take final action to end predatory long-distance prison phone rates shortly after that. A victory here at the FCC will be a signpost to all the other policy makers in the states to fix their own rules at home."