The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival Needs YOU!

WILPFers in DC in 2023. Photo Credit: Eileen Kurkoski

by Rowan Fairgrove
WILPF4PPC Liaison

November 2023

Poverty is the 4th leading cause of death. There are 140 million poor and low-wealth people in this country. An estimated 800 people die each day from poverty and low income, so we feel an urgency to create a movement to change this country.

Politicians who continue to make concessions for the wealthy yet leave families and children to die in poverty are guilty of policy murder. If we organize and mobilize the 140 million poor and low-wealth people of every race, creed and religion in every region of this country for a movement that votes, we would have the political power to shift elections up and down the ballot, waking the “sleeping giant” of poor and low-wealth eligible voters.

Thus, the Poor People’s Campaign is calling for 40 Weeks of Action in early 2024 with nationally coordinated, simultaneous actions that target all state houses and state capitols at the same time. Here is a timeline of events planned:

• Monday February 5th, 2024 – states will meet with their state-elected leadership on both sides of the aisle. States will announce 40 weeks of action.
• Monday February 19th, 2024 [38 weeks out] – encourage folks in PPC and partners to put on small press conferences in their communities to encourage their people to be a part of the statehouse actions and wake the “sleeping giant”. Ask faith communities to push it out on Sunday as well.
• Saturday March 2nd, 2024 – Nationally coordinated, simultaneous statehouse assemblies across the country.
• Monday, March 4th, 2024 [35 weeks out] – A diverse state delegation delivers our demands to every door/elected official in their statehouse.

Between now and March there is a lot of organizing that needs to happen in every state campaign! States are looking for Coordinating Committee members, for people interested in doing community mapping to find new allies and people interested in getting the word out. Partner organizations are being asked to get at least 30 people in each state to the capitol for the March 2nd action. Thereafter, we will be organizing for a Mass Poor People's and Low-Wage Workers' Assembly and Moral March in Washington and to the polls on June 15, 2024.

If you have considered being involved in your State Poor People’s Campaign, this is a great time to step up.

FORWARD TOGETHER, NOT ONE STEP BACK!