Calling themselves "justice warriors," members of the Greater Hartford Coalition for Equity and Justice marked their third annual covenant celebration Monday with choirs, liturgical dance and speeches intended to energize members to continue their mission.

"We are people of various faiths, communities united for the common good, diverse people who are passionate about justice," the Rev. Persida Rivera-Mendez, of Iglesia Christana Nuevo Esperanza of East Hartford, told an audience of more than 100 at the Metropolitan AME Zion Church in Hartford. "We need to stand united in courage so that justice can be obtained."

The coalition represents 40 city and suburban congregations. It was formed to address issues such as the lack of affordable health care and education, tax equity and economic justice.

Coalition task forces will tackle issues such as immigration, health care and tax equity during meetings that will be held in area churches in February and March.

Member churches include Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford, First Church of Christ, Simsbury, Hartford Quaker Meeting, Unitarian- Universalist Society and others. The Rev. Alvan N. Johnson Jr., of Bethel AME Church in Bloomfield, is chairman of the coalition.

Mayor Eddie Perez and the Most Rev. Peter Rosazza of the Archdiocese of Hartford were among the speakers. Rosazza, who has been working to abolish the death penalty, received a round of applause from the group for his efforts.

He said that Catholic churches had collected 38,000 signatures on petitions that will be presented to the legislature.

Perez thanked the coalition for its efforts, which he said had helped pry loose more money for schools and early childhood educational programs.

"I'm also here to be re-energized by people who care about justice," the mayor said.