UNDERNEWS: The revival of the Poor People's Campaign

January 9, 2018

The revival of the Poor People's Campaign

Democracy Now - Modern day civil rights leaders have launched a new Poor People’s Campaign, inspired by the historic 1968 action led by King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In the coming months, organizers are planning six weeks of direct action at statehouses across the country and the U.S. Capitol to call attention to systemic racism, poverty, the war economy and ecological devastation.

Watch interview with PPC leader Reverend Wjlliam Barber and a former page to segregationist senator Strom Thurmond who became politically and religiously transformed after hearing Rev. Barber speak

PS: One reason we're excited about the revival of the Poor People's Campaign is because our longtime urban planning cartoonist, the late John Wiebenson, designed Resurrection City where the protestors gathered on the Mall. Here's a shot of his work:

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: When will it be realized that the 99% need an umbrella organization that encompasses all progressive organizations, like the Poor People’s Campaign, and the hundreds of others that exist?

If this umbrella was also a political party, the 99% would also have real political clout.

If the Green Party pursued this role, it might become a relevant political force, and real competition for the Democrats.; January 10, 2018 at 10:10 AM

Post a Comment

ABOUT THE EDITOR

The Review is edited by Sam Smith, who covered Washington under nine presidents, has edited the Progressive Review and its predecessors since 1964, wrote four books, been published in five anthologies, helped to start five organizations (including the DC Humanities Council and the DC Statehood Party), was a plaintiff in three successful class action suits, served as a Coast Guard officer, and played in jazz bands for four decades.

A truly independent journalist with his feet firmly grounded in the reality of neighborhoods and everyday people. -- Patrick Mazza, Progressive Populist

A truly original voice in American journalism: humorous and plain spoken and filled with common sense -- Jay Walljasper, Utne Reader

Inimitable -- Mother Jones Magazine

Sam's a cynical cat -- Marion Barry

Sam's one of the few independent voices left. The press today is either extreme or special interest or else just establishment, an extension of the corporate spirit -- Sen. Eugene McCarthy,

One of a small group of whites with whom many blacks would trust their political lives - Chuck Stone, Washingtonian.

A reputation for wit, intelligence and anger. -- Claude Lewis, Chicago Tribune

Smith is an island of reason and information in a sea of narcissistic blather. -- City Paper, Washington

Whatever the debate, the Review's sharp critiques encourage us to look out our window, notice and act upon what we see, and also to look further -- to the rest of the country and globe -- to see how the organized big world interacts with our more spontaneous small worlds. - Utne Reader