CWAers Join Poor People's Campaign to Fight Inequality

Beginning this week, CWAers and retirees are joining tens of thousands of people across the country to participate in nonviolent direct actions to fight back against the structures that are undermining our democracy and supporting economic injustice. CWA members rallied in cities this week including Columbus, Ohio; Trenton, N.J.; and Washington, D.C., where CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens was arrested along with other activists, including the co-organizer of the renewal of the Poor People's Campaign, Reverand William Barber, II.

This renewal of the Poor People's Campaign comes 50 years after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., first put forth his vision of a multi-racial movement to address the root causes of poverty. CWA's Human Rights Growth Fund is supporting work with the Poor People's campaign.

"The challenge that the Poor People's Campaign puts before us could not come at a more critical time," said CWA President Chris Shelton. 

Over a six week period, actions will focus on and highlight a different set of important issues. The 40 Days of Moral Action will culminate in a mass rally in Washington, D.C., on June 23rd.

Week 1 (May 13-19)
Somebody's Hurting Our People: Children, Women, and People with Disabilities Living in Poverty

Week 2 (May 20-26)
Linking Systemic Racism and Poverty: Voting Rights, Immigration, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and the Mistreatment of Indigenous Communities

Week 3 (May 27-June 2)
The War Economy: Militarism and the Proliferation of Gun Violence

Week 4 (June 3-9)
The Right to Health and a Healthy Planet: Ecological Devastation and Health Care

Week 5 (June 10-16)
Everybody's Got the Right To Live: Education, Living Wages, Jobs, Income, Housing

Week 6 (June 17-23)
A New and Unsettling Force: Confronting the Distorted Moral Narrative

June 23 – Global Day of Solidarity and Sending Forth Call to Action Mass Rally in Washington, D.C.

Click here to learn more and sign up for events in your area.

CWAers joined the Poor People's Campaign in Columbus, Ohio (top left and bottom right: Diane Bailey, President of CWA Local 4310 & Chair of CWA's National Committee on Civil Rights and Equity; Kevin Kee, President of CWA Local 4501; Mark Stansbury of CWA Local 4502); Trenton, N.J. (bottom left); and Washington, D.C. (top right).