Monday, May 14th, a number of our members participated in a powerful action in Albany as part of the kickoff of the national Poor Peoples Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. They report that it was an inspiring day, giving many participants renewed hope that we can indeed transform our community, nation and world. Nationally, there were actions in nearly 40 state capitols, marking the beginning of 40 days of action which are jumpstarting a multi-year, intersectional effort to address four major issues: systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, and ecological devastation. The campaign is reviving the effort that Dr. Martin Luther King was working on when he was murdered.
The focus at this point is on state capitols and there will be major actions in Albany each of the next 5 Mondays (except Memorial Day, when it will be on Tuesday). Each week there will be a march, rally or other permitted action, followed by nonviolent direct action for those who are ready to engage in it. Carpooling from Syracuse will leave each week (about 7:30 am) from University United Methodist Church Parking lot (University Ave. and E. Genesee St.
The themes and contacts for upcoming weeks are below. If you’re interested in participating, please contact the appropriate person for that week.
The Full Schedule with Weekly Themes:
WEEK 1: May 13-May 19
Somebody’s Hurting Our People: Child poverty, Women, and People with Disabilities
WEEK 2: May 20-26
Systemic Racism, Voter Suppression and Immigration
WEEK 3: May 27-June 2
The War Economy, Veterans & Education, Gun Violence
TUESDAY, May 29 – There will be a bus from Buffalo with a Syracuse pick up. However, it will stay until the people risking arrest are out ready to head home. To carpool contact Bonnie Shoultz bshoultz@syr.edu
Register at bit.ly/nyppcweek3
WEEK 4: June 3-9
Ecological Devastation & Health
Sunday, June 3, 6-8pm: Poor People’s Campaign “Watch Party” at University United Methodist Church (1085 E. Genesee St., Syracuse) – refreshments, a live stream of a Poor People’s Campaign Rally in Washington DC, and local speakers.
Monday, June 4 – Carpooling contact to be determined
Register at bit.ly/nyppcweek4
WEEK 5: June 10-16
Systemic Poverty, Jobs, Income & Housing – Everybody’s Got a Right to Live
Sunday, June 10, 6-8pm: Poor People’s Campaign “Watch Party” at University United Methodist Church (1085 E. Genesee St., Syracuse) – refreshments, a live stream of a Poor People’s Campaign Rally in Washington DC, and local speakers.
Monday June 11 – Carpooling contact Alicia Wood pastoraliciawood@gmail.
Register at bit.ly/nyppcweek5
WEEK 6: June 17-22
Challenging the Nation’s Distorted Moral Narrative – a New & Unsettling Force
Sunday, June 3, 6-8pm: Poor People’s Campaign “Watch Party” at University United Methodist Church (1085 E. Genesee St., Syracuse) – refreshments, a live stream of a Poor People’s Campaign Rally in Washington DC, and local speakers.
Monday, June 18 – Carpooling contact Craig French craigfrench@twcny.rr.
Register at bit.ly/nyppcweek6
June 23rd – Mass rally and 24-hour vigil in Washington, D.C. and Global Day of Solidarity
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