In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. launched a Poor People’s Campaign believing that people joining together could create, “a new and unsettling force in our complacent nation.”
Over the last two years, UCC members and congregations have been participating in the continuation of this work through the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival by national and state direct actions, education and organizing. The campaign has united tens of thousands of people across the country to challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy and ecological devastation while centering the voices and experiences of poor, low-wealth, and vulnerable communities.
During the summer of 2018, poor people and moral witnesses in 40 states committed themselves to a season of direct action to launch the Campaign. What ensued was the most expansive wave of nonviolent civil disobedience in the 21st century United States.
In June 2019, the campaign convened over 1,000 community leaders in Washington, D.C. for the Poor People’s Moral Action Congress, which included the largest presidential candidates’ forum of the pre-debate season, the release of the Poor People’s Moral Budget, and a hearing before the House Budget Committee on the issues facing the 140 million poor and low-income people in the nation.
Through it all, UCC members and congregations have been faithfully engaged in the Poor People’s Campaign. Now in this unprecedented time, we are called to step up again. Join with UCC leaders in the largest digital and social media gathering of poor and low-wealth people, moral and religious leaders, advocates and people of conscience in the nation’s history on June 20th.
“This pandemic has hit the poor and the vulnerable hard. Underlying health conditions, poorworking conditions, low pay, lay-offs causing months with no income and no savings built up, inadequate health care all conspire to ravage the poor disproportionately.We cannot be silent in this time. Those who walk the halls of power must be held accountable; and we are the ones called to do just that.” -Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, UCC General Minister and President
“Once again, we find ourselves in the midst of a moral, political, economic, and social crisis. This is the moment of massive response for our nation. COVID19 is a virus. Human disregard of the other is the pandemic. When we address the latter, we will heal the rest. Join us in crying aloud for justice at this critical hour.“ -Rev. Traci Blackmon, UCC Associate General Minister
“Our collective voices are necessary to bring about the change we want to see in the world. The Poor Peoples Campaign joins our voices and witness to impact change for individuals and communities that are disenfranchised and pushed to the margins. Lend your voice for change. Register your support and bring healing to the world.” -Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, UCC Associate General Minister
Register for the June 20th Poor People’s Campaign Digital Mobilization here.
Access resources to help promote the mobilization: