United We Stand: Organizing to end Poverty in Pennsylvania
COMING TOGETHER
On Saturday, March 2, 2024, The Poor People’s Campaign orchestrated a monumental gathering that brought together over three hundred individuals, united to challenge the systemic injustices plaguing our society. This event was a pivotal moment in the campaign’s ongoing mission to awaken the “sleeping giant” of the 140 million poor and low-income individuals in the United States.
The assembly at the Pennsylvania State House was not simply a protest, It was a call to action guided by personal testimonies and a clear legislative agenda. Speakers from diverse backgrounds shared their stories that painted a vivid picture of the harsh realities faced by them and millions of Americans just like them who live in the Commonwealth.
Kevin, a Harrisburg-based faith leader, began with a powerful reminder of the moral imperative to fight injustice: "The Author of Life does not want people to be sick. Our Creator does not want people to live in hunger. The Word of the Lord offers no quarter for injustice." This invocation of divine justice reinforces the campaign's moral foundation, reminding us that the fight against poverty is not just political, but for some, a deeply spiritual quest for fairness and compassion.
Tammy, PA-PPC Tri-Chair and Nijmie, coordinating committee member from Put People First! PA presented the legislative agenda that highlighted the deadly consequences of poverty with stark clarity: "Poverty is the 4th leading cause of death in this country and it doesn’t have to be that way. We won’t be silent anymore." Their words serve as a battle hymn, underlining the critical need for legislative action and the refusal to remain passive in the face of systemic neglect.
Andrea of March on Harrisburg, brought attention to political corruption exacerbating these issues: "In Pennsylvania, bribery is legal...It adds up to a backwards, cruel system, where our politicians are apathetic and indifferent to our suffering, and put corporate profit over our lives every single day." Her statement draws a direct line between political corruption, policy murder, and the suffering of the poor, calling for a transformation in how we value human life over corporate gains.
Milady from the Movement of Immigrant Leaders of PA shared a poignant perspective on the fear that grips migrant communities: "Children of migrant workers should not be afraid to get in a vehicle, because they know that as soon as they see the flashing red and blue, that could be the last day they see their parents." This testimonial underscores the human cost of our immigration policies, linking personal stories of fear and separation to the broader narrative of systemic injustice.
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE
These testimonies are a reminder that the political system is not broken – rather it is fixed and operating exactly how the ruling class has planned. This unsettling reality, woven through the testimonies of faith leaders, activists, and everyday citizens, exposes a societal blueprint where legality masks morality, and silence becomes the language of complicity. In confronting this architecture of inequity, our collective outcry does not just challenge the status quo; it seeks to dismantle the very foundations upon which these thematic injustices stand, advocating for a reimagined society where justice and equity are the cornerstones of our shared existence.
With 800 people dying from poverty every day in the U.S., the urgency of this cause cannot be overstated. The campaign’s 40 weeks of action leading up to the election is a clarion call for all of us to stand together, irrespective of our backgrounds, to fight for a society that prioritizes people over profit, justice over greed, and dignity over indifference.
LOOKING FORWARD
As we reflect on the powerful testimonies and the collective energy of that day, we must remember the strength found in unity. The PPC’s assembly at the Pennsylvania State Capitol was one step forward in the long march towards justice and equity. The campaign has launched their legislative demands, calling on state legislators to:
Allow drivers licenses for all! HB769
Pass the Gift ban HB484 and enact Ranked Choice Voting! HB 1178, SB 729
Restore the adult dental benefit in Medicaid! SB 955
Institute a Public Healthcare Advocate for Pennsylvania!
Cancel all school lunch debt and fund universal school lunch! HB, SB 180
Stop the poisoning of our air, ground and water by the fossil fuel industries!
Provide living wages, housing, and education for all Pennsylvanians!
ORGANIZING OUR CLASS
Let us carry forward the spirit of mobilization, the demand for change, and the hope for a better tomorrow. As poet and activist June Jordan said: “We are the ones that we have been waiting for.” Together, we are an unstoppable force for good. When we get organized, we WIN. Get involved with the Pennsylvania Poor People’s Campaign by filling out this form here.
In solidarity, we march forward.
The Pennsylvania Poor People’s Campaign