Poor People’s Campaign Holds Press Conference in the Bronx
The Poor People’s Campaign held a press conference on Saturday, September 14th, in the 44th Precinct, one of the poorest precincts in the state. The event was part of a national mobilization effort to awaken infrequent voters in low-income areas and demand that candidates address the crisis of poverty and low-wealth.
Simultaneous Press Conferences Across the Nation
Press conferences were held simultaneously across the nation in some of the poorest precincts in the country to bring focus to the needs of poor and low-income voters. The campaign demands that candidates seeking local and national office commit to addressing the crisis of death by poverty and low-wealth, which kills 800 people daily, 295,000 annually.
Mass Mobilization Action
This action was part of mass mobilization actions to awaken the sleeping giant of infrequent voters in low-income areas. The campaign demands that candidates seeking local and national office commit to addressing the crisis of death by poverty and low-wealth, which kills 800 people daily, 295,000 annually.
Speakers and Remarks
Derrick Biney-Amissah, a NYS Poor People’s Campaign Coordinating Committee Member, introduced each speaker and worked to coordinate the event by recruiting volunteers and preparing them with the ways of the Poor People’s Campaign, which is nonpartisan and follows the principles of nonviolence.
Speakers included Jose Gonzalez, a resident of Morrisania, who spoke about the problems of insufficient wages for workers, overcrowded schools and the need to rescue hope in our communities. Raquel Irizarry, also a Poor People’s Campaign Coordinating Committee Member, spoke of growing up in the Bronx and the importance of voting.
The Reverend. Dr. Liz Theoharis, National Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign and Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice, made closing remarks and a call to action: “In this rich country, perhaps the richest ever in human history, there are people dying from poverty, people dying from a lack of homes, people dying from a lack of healthcare, people dying from being paid low wages. But we, the 140 million poor and low-income people in this country, who make up one third of the voting electorate, have the power to make things better, not just for us, but for everybody.”
Preceding the Press Conference
Preceding the press conference, volunteers canvassed throughout the surrounding neighborhoods, from 161st Street to 168th Street, east and west of the Grand Concourse. Over a dozen volunteers distributed pamphlets and flyers to passersby and community members and listened to their concerns, hopes and fears.
Photos
Conclusion
The Poor People’s Campaign is committed to reaching out to 15 million poor and low-income infrequent voters and encouraging them to make their voices heard. By doing so, they hope to make a significant impact on the upcoming election and bring about change for the betterment of society.
FAQs
Q: What is the Poor People’s Campaign?
A: The Poor People’s Campaign is a national movement that aims to bring attention to the needs of poor and low-income communities and demand that candidates address the crisis of poverty and low-wealth.
Q: What are the goals of the campaign?
A: The campaign’s goals include reaching out to 15 million poor and low-income infrequent voters and encouraging them to make their voices heard, as well as demanding that candidates commit to addressing the crisis of death by poverty and low-wealth.
Q: How can I get involved?
A: You can get involved by volunteering with the Poor People’s Campaign, attending events and press conferences, and spreading the word about the campaign’s mission and goals.