Essay: If faith leaders want to reach Gen Z, meet them in the streets
In an article published by Religion News Service, JOSH PACKARD, WILLIAM J BARBER II, AND A KAZIMIR BROWN reflect on data showing that 20 per cent of “very religious” young people in the US say they engage in acts of protest on a daily basis…
After months of protests in the US, Poor People’s Campaign requests meeting with Biden
Washington DC, USRNS After dozens of near-weekly demonstrations in support of voting rights, raising the minimum wage and other issues, leaders of the Poor People’s Campaign have asked for a meeting with President Joe Biden, escalating efforts to arrange a public summit with a president who endorsed their cause during his campaign. In a letter sent to […]
Faith leaders and Texas Democrats march to US Capitol to demand voting protections
RNS A group of Democratic Texas legislators marched with faith leaders from the Supreme Court building to the US Capitol on Thursday morning to deliver letters demanding change for millions of people impacted by poverty and voting disenfranchisement. “The 65 million low-wealth voters in this country hold the key to transformation,” said Rev William Barber […]
Hundreds arrested at the US Capitol while protesting for voting rights, minimum wage
Washington DC, USRNS As police escorted a demonstrator in a wheelchair away from the chanting throng descending on the US Capitol on Monday, fellow protesters turned to watch the person go. The group paused for a moment, then altered their call. They screamed in unison: “Thank you! We love you!” The lone protester nodded, fist […]
“This is our Selma moment”: US clergy leaders announce on eve of 27 mile voting rights march to Austin
RNS Fifty-six years ago, Rev Martin Luther King, Jr, led thousands of clergy and laypeople on a 54 mile (87 kilometre) voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, the state capital of Alabama. On Wednesday, Rev William J Barber II will lead a similar contingent on a four-day, 27 mile (43 kilometre) march from Georgetown […]
Co-chair of Poor People’s Campaign among nearly 100 women arrested at march for voting rights in DC
RNS Nearly 100 protesters were arrested Monday at a women’s march in Washington, DC, while advocating for legislation to protect voting rights and demanding relief for marginalised and impoverished Americans. The Women’s Moral Monday March on Washington, organised by leaders of the Poor People’s Campaign, marked the anniversary of the 1848 Seneca Falls Women’s Convention, […]
US President Biden pledges support for Rev Barber’s campaign to end poverty
RNS Rev William J Barber reignited his Moral Marches to end poverty at the place where it all started eight years ago, the outdoor mall behind the North Carolina General Assembly. But in a sign of the movement’s growing national profile, he had a special guest via video on Monday: President Biden. Poor People’s Campaign co-chair Rev […]
In the US, Poor People’s Campaign plans ‘Moral March on Manchin’
Washington DC, USRNS The faith-led Poor People’s Campaign is planning a march in the home state of West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin to protest the moderate Democrat’s recent decision to oppose voting rights legislation and efforts to end the Senate filibuster. Poor People’s Campaign co-chair Rev William Barber announced via Twitter on Monday that his group will […]
Poor People’s Campaign, lawmakers unveil sweeping resolution to tackle poverty in the US
Washington, USRNS Lawmakers and leaders of the faith-based Poor People’s Campaign unveiled a sweeping new resolution on Thursday designed to eradicate poverty in the US, with activists touting it as a broad-based legislative framework that hopes to do for poverty what the Green New Deal proposes to do for environmental issues. Speaking to press at the […]
US faith leaders call for elimination of Senate filibuster
AP A coalition of faith leaders and activists on Monday demanded the elimination of the Senate filibuster, wading into a crucial debate in Washington with a 50-50 Senate and President Joe Biden eyeing ambitious legislation on expanding voting rights, stemming gun violence and other proposals that face opposition from Republicans. Led by prominent progressive pastor […]