For Immediate Release

May 23, 2020

Media Contact

Ebony Tillman 773–495–0832

Southside Churches Want Services Not Showdown

WHO: Jimmy Lee Tillman, II founder of Martin Luther King Republicans

Rev. Pervis Thomas of New Canaanland MBC

Black Christian Leadership Ministers

WHAT : Martin Luther King Republicans and the Black Christian Leadership will ask Gov. J. B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot to put aside partisan politics and follow the President’s CDC guidelines for opening up churches for in-person service this weekend. The group will also ask to increase the size worshipers from 10 to 50 and allow multiple services during Phase Three. The Black Christian Leadership Ministers will announce services on Sunday, May 24, and ask all healthy, able, and willing believers to join them in various churches throughout the Southside.

WHEN: Saturday, May 23, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: New Canaanland MBC- 5957 S. Peoria

WHY: “Our elected leaders should not be playing partisan politics when it comes to people and their faith, we are thankful the President acknowledged that preachers and churches are essential. This Memorial Day weekend, we must reflect on those who sacrificed for our freedoms with conviction, courage, and a love for our country, it is in their spirit we peacefully protest” said Tillman

The Black Christian Leadership is a group of independent pastors, ministers, and laypeople. They do not agree with the current restrictions and will continue to hold services, using the recently issued CDC guidelines.

##