An important part of advocacy for social justice is attending and planning actions. These visible events help our lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country clearly see what issues are important to everyday people and the great numbers of us with Franciscan values.
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Being a Franciscan presence in the public arena is part of our mission and the staff of FAN regularly participates in many kinds of advocacy actions. We also want to hear about and uplift what you’ve been doing in your community. Click here to let us know what actions you have participated in.
Here is what we’ve attended so far this year:
April 2026
April 23, 2026
On April 23, FAN staff joined with partner organizations outside ICE Headquarters in Washington DC to offer prayers in support of the immigrant community and for those considering conscientious objection.
April 20-22, 2026
During Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington DC, April 20-22, FAN staff members Sisters Maria Orlandini and Marie Lucey participated in visits to members of Congress urging passage of Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (H.R. 1061/S.455), which would permanently codify limitations on federal agents’ immigration enforcement actions in and around “sensitive locations.”
April 17, 2026
FAN staff and constituents joined a large number of Christian organizations in Washington DC in a prayer and procession for peace on April 17, calling for an end to wars in the Middle East.
April 3, 2026
On Good Friday morning, April 3, 16 peacemakers, including FAN Executive Director Michele Dunne, held a prayer service on the perimeter of the Pentagon to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and call for an end to war, militarism, racial hatred, discrimination, and economic exploitation.
April 3, 2026
On April 3, FAN staff participated in ‘Good Friday Way of the Cross for Peace and Justice,’ a public, prayerful witness commemorating the Passion of Christ while reflecting on the suffering and hope present in our world today.
March 2026
March 29: 'No Kings' Protests
With messages like “Blessed are the merciful” and “Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly,” FAN staff and the Washington DC Franciscan Justice Circle participated in the ‘No Kings’ rally for democracy in Washington DC on March 28.
March 24, 2026
FAN staff joined partner organizations on March 24, the anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Oscar Romero, to pray for peace and justice for immigrants outside of ICE headquarters in Washington DC.
March 20, 2026
FAN staff joined other Christian, Jewish, and Muslim organizations to visit House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and other representatives to ask them to apologize for recent Islamophobic remarks within their caucus. The group reminded these members of Congress that pluralism, religious freedom, and diversity are among our highest ideals as Americans and people of faith.
March 5, 2026
On March 5, FAN Just Peace Fellow Eli McCarthy and Executive Director Michele Dunne participated in a faith witness and prayer vigil on Capitol Hill, calling on Congress to stop the war in Iran and support diplomacy and peacebuilding.
February 2026
February 28, 2026
On February 28, outside the White House, FAN staff protested against the launch of the US War with Iran.
February 18, 2026
FAN staff joined partner organizations in a prayer service near the US Capitol to pray and call for repentance and conversion so that our society might live out the gospel call to love, justice, peace, and reverence for all life and God’s creation.
First Week of February
FAN Director of Advocacy Sister Maria Orlandini, OSF and FJC Animator Merwyn De Mello lobbied for the Truth and Healing Commision Bill, along with another eleven faith leaders from across the country.
January 2026
January 29, 2026
On Thursday, January 29, FAN staff joined people of faith from across the country in prayer at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington DC, then walked to the US Capitol to oppose any additional funding for DHS this year and for proper regulation, transparency, and accountability for ICE.
January 23: March for Life
FAN Executive Director Michele Dunne, Director of Advocacy Sr. Maria Orlandini, OSF, and Director of Communications Robert Christian joined a delegation of Capuchin friars and Secular Franciscans to march in the annual March for Life in Washington DC. They marched with a consistent ethic of life message of protecting life from violence, poverty, environmental destruction, and other threats, while creating a culture of welcome for all people at all stages of life, including migrants.
January 20, 2026
On Tuesday, January 20, Sr. Marie Lucey and Rosie Davila joined the American Friends Service Committee and other partners from Interfaith Immigration Coalition to deliver 13,000 signatures to the US Department of Homeland Security. The petition urged DHS to recognize the value of immigrants in our communities.
January 15, 2026
On January 15, FAN staff members joined other faith leaders outside ICE headquarters in Washington DC for a prayer vigil, encouraging the Trump administration to reconsider its decision to end Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for immigrants from Haiti. FAN Associate Director Sister Marie Lucey, OSF and Advocacy Strategist Rosie Davila spoke during the vigil.
You can watch the closing prayer here.
January 15, 2026
FAN Director of Campaigns and Creation Care Nora Collins, together with Creation Justice Ministries and the Sisters of Mercy, visited four Senate offices to discuss the US administration’s proposal to open US Coastlines.
January 8, 2026
FAN Peace Fellow Eli McCarthy helped to organize and participated in a public witness outside the White House, speaking out against injustice and in support of active nonviolence.