They gathered outside Whitney Young High School Monday to urge lawmakers not to cut funding as they deal with the budget crisis.
The ministers say that when children aren't in school or in extra curricular activities they are more likely to commit crimes or to be victims. Their message for lawmakers: Vote for education funding or we won't vote for you.
"What we're asking our elected officials today is not to balance the budget on the backs of education. We need to keep funding at the level that it's at in order for our students to succeed," said Pastor Roosevelt Watkins, Bethlehem Star Church.
The ministers said they will take their message to Springfield on Wednesday.
