This past Monday, May 14, the Poor People’s Campaign launched a multi-issue campaign in 40 states to address poverty, racism, the war economy and environmental devastation. These actions included an expansive wave of nonviolent civil disobedience. The focus of this first week was on women & children living in poverty and the disabled.
Rallies were held in more than 30 state capitols demanding policies that lift up the poor, sharing stories on what life really looks like for the 140 million people living in poverty today. All around the country, poor people, clergy and advocates were arrested or risked arrest while participating in nonviolent direct action.
And that’s just the beginning. Next week’s actions (May 20-26) will focus on Systemic Racism, Voter Suppression and Immigration.
You can locate actions in your state here: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/events/. There will be civil disobedience at state capitols on Monday, May 21, with many other activities throughout the week.
Many events are listed on the campaign’s Facebook page, and information for most states can be found by doing a Google search for your state’s Poor People’s Campaign Facebook page.
These 40 Days of Moral Action are just the beginning of a long-term campaign. Reverend William Barber of North Carolina, who led the Moral Monday struggle, has stated that the first goal of this campaign is to break through the narratives that mislead people about poverty, racism, the war economy and ecological devastation. We are working together to address these interlocking injustices.
The Full Schedule with Weekly Themes:Week 1 (May 13-19): Child Poverty, Women & the Disabled – Somebody’s Hurting our People
- Week 2 (May 20-26): Systemic Racism, Voter Suppression and Immigration
- Week 3 (May 27-June 2): The War Economy, Veterans & Education, Gun Violence
- Week 4 (June 3-9): Ecological Devastation & Health
- Week 5 (June 10-16): Systemic Poverty, Jobs, Income & Housing – Everybody’s Got a Right to Live
- Week 6 (June 17-22): Challenging the Nation’s Distorted Moral Narrative – a New & Unsettling Force
- June 23rd – Mass rally and 24-hour vigil in Washington, D.C. and Global Day of Solidarity
Please bring your voice and energy to these events, volunteer when you can, and prepare to build on these 40 days of action to build power and affect local, regional and national change.
Thank you for supporting and participating in this important struggle to build a movement to address the crucial issues for our time.
In Solidarity,
The UFPJ Coordinating Committee
