The Interview: William Barber on recruiting low-wage voters, Biden’s record on poverty
KATHRYN POST, of Religion News Service, speaks to the Disciples of Christ pastor and civil rights organiser about how a new campaign is building on Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr,’s legacy and Jesus’ ministry and what he’s looking to hear from Biden going into 2024…
In the US, William Barber launches new centre at Yale, will retire from church
United StatesRNS Yale Divinity School is launching a new Center for Public Theology and Public Policy, an advocacy-focused body to be led by prominent pastor and activist Rev William Barber II. “The goal of this centre will be to prepare a new generation – what we call moral fusion leaders – that are going to […]
Conviction after protest “badge of honour” for US civil rights activist
Raleigh, North Carolina, US AP A US civil rights leader said Tuesday that he won’t stop raising his voice for the poor, uninsured and downtrodden, although his trespassing conviction for a demonstration five years ago at North Carolina’s Legislative Building was allowed to stand. Rev William Barber II of Goldsboro, president of the national Repairers […]
As Biden’s agenda navigates US Congress, faith groups lobby Manchin
Washington DC, USRNS Religious leaders are pushing US lawmakers in different directions as they debate major aspects of President Joe Biden’s legislative agenda, with some framing support for anti-poverty measures as a matter of faith and others expressing concern the Federal Government will do away with some religious exemptions. But regardless of their cause, faith […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Bieber samples King’s sermons, supports Poor People’s Campaign with new album ‘Justice’
RNS Pop star Justin Bieber tweeted his support on Thursday for the Poor People’s Campaign, the faith-led anti-poverty initiative that was inspired by a campaign Rev Martin Luther King, Jr, started in the ’60s. Bieber listed the campaign, headed by Rev William Barber II and Rev Liz Theoharis, among “organizations that embody what justice looks like in action”, […]