After months of planning the big day arrived, as United for Peace & Justice joined the Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, DC on June 18 for its Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers Assembly and March on Washington and to the Polls. We were represented by our National Organizer, George Friday, National Co-convener Jackie Cabasso of Western States Legal Foundation, and Coordinating Committee member Leonardo Flores, with CODEPINK, and various members of UFPJ member groups. Unfortunately, last minute flight cancellations and health issues reduced our anticipated numbers.
June 18 was a glorious, mild, sunny day, as we joined tens of thousands of people from all walks of life and dozens of states around the country in a display of “moral fusion” solidarity, raising up the interlocking injustices of systemic poverty, systemic racism, environmental devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism.
The day was centered on the 140 million people American people directly impacted by poverty, whose compelling testimonies comprised the majority of the program, hosted by Rev. William J. Barber II, and Rev. Liz Theoharis, Co-chairs of the Poor People’s Campaign, a National Call for Moral Revival. During the day we heard from black, brown, Indigenous, white, trans, queer, women, and men from every corner of the nation who are poor or one paycheck away from financial collapse, in the richest country in history. We heard about the often heartbreaking impacts of the interlocking injustices from mothers, veterans, miners, teachers, fast food workers and undocumented immigrants, who had come together, with their allies in labor unions, faith denominations, racial justice, human rights, environmental and anti-war groups to speak with one voice for voting rights, health care, an end to poverty and racism, immigrant rights, gender equity, and an end to endless wars – in short, the “revolution of values” called for by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. more than 50 years ago.
As Rev. Bernice King told the crowd, “Fifty-four years ago, my father, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., launched the first Poor People’s Campaign to revolutionize the country. Decades later, ridding the nation of the evil and violence of poverty remains a moral imperative.”
“The military budget is immoral,” Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II declared, “This is why we need a third Reconstruction.” He explained that this will build on the first Reconstruction, the period after the Civil War, and the second Reconstruction, the period during the modern civil rights movement, led by Dr. King.
“We are a fusion coalition,” he said, “and we will continue our work until sick folks are healed, until affordable housing is provided, until the land and water are protected, and until saving the world is more important than blowing it up. . . . This promise is not negotiable. We won’t be silent or unseen any longer.” Read more.
Music is an important component of the Poor People’s Campaign, and the rousing musical interludes, flavored heavily by the gospel tradition, did not disappoint. There was also a new anti-war song launched for the first time.
The nigh
t before the Mass Assembly, we attended a solemn memorial service at the Lincoln Memorial, organized by the Poor People’s Campaign to remember the one million people who have died from COVID-19 and the innumerable victims of war and gun violence. Following the memorial service, we walked to the MLK Memorial, where CODEPINK organized a visually stunning “peace illumination” (see photo).
UFPJ also took part in other activities organized by the anti-militarism contingent convened by CODEPINK. On Saturday we joined a feeder march down Pennsylvania Ave. from Freedom Plaza to the Mass Assembly at 3rd Street. On Saturday evening we attended a wonderful concert featuring world music at Malcom X Park, and on Sunday morning we participated in a peace workshop with about 60 people in attendance. Everyone was so happy to be together in person for the first time in over two years. We also visited a spirited Juneteenth celebration at Black Lives Matter Plaza in front of the White House, organized by Dia De Los Muertos.
Where do we go from here?
During the Mass Assembly, Rev. Barber and Rev. Theoharis announced a new plan: 7 Steps Before the Midterms: A Movement Declaration to Reconstruct American Democracy. Read it here.
The June 12 Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers Assembly and March on Washington and to the Polls was a major step for moral fusion organizing. Even the Washington Post acknowledged, “Instead of being presented as a grab-bag of competing progressive causes, Saturday’s event bridged different agendas and platforms with a universal call for reform and change of the political status quo.”
Our task now, as the fragments of the peace movement, is to build upon and deepen our understanding of “moral fusion” organizing in order to effectively contribute to the broad, deep, values-based, multi-issue movement we’ll need to build power and create systemic change – including ending militarism and wars — from the bottom up. Watch for more on this from UFPJ.
In the meantime
If you weren’t able to be in DC on June 18 or to watch the livestream, watch the recording, in English or in Spanish, here.
Read 7 Steps Before the Midterms: A Movement Declaration to Reconstruct American Democracy.
Read the Poor People’s Campaign Third Reconstruction Agenda to Heal the Nation: End Poverty and Low Wages From the Bottom Up (Rev. Barber is the co-author of The Third Reconstruction, How a Moral Movement is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Fear.)
Find and get involved in your State Poor People’s Campaign here.
United for Peace & Justice is a proud mobilizing partner with the Poor People’s Campaign. If you were in DC on June 18 or watched the livestream, please share your impressions and thoughts with us by writing to info.ufpj@gmail.com
Forward together, Not one step back!
The UFPJ Coordinating Committee
