Hitting the Streets with Resistance and Outreach!
Hitting the Streets with Resistance and Outreach!
Dear Friends,
The Tennessee Poor People’s Campaign had 40 days of incredible direct action during which we began to break through the distorted moral narrative in our state and country. This is a distorted moral narrative that uplifts the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy and ecological devastation, evils the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is committed to dismantling. We went to Washington, D.C. and joined thousands of others from across the nation at Resurrection City and participated in civil disobedience and a historic march.
Then we rested for a couple weeks, and now it’s time to get back to work! And, we invite all of you to join us!
Coming up in August ...
ResistICE The Tennessee Poor People’s Campaign is joining with a coalition of organizations across Nashville and across Tennessee in an action to Resist ICE as we continue to witness the kidnapping of our neighbors, infants taken from their mothers’ arms, families separated and children caged. Systemic racism, poverty and the war economy are at the roots of this horrific treatment of our immigrant sisters, brothers and siblings. Find Resist ICE Nashville on Facebook and Twitter. Text @ResistICE to 81010 to receive an alert when the action begins and all people of faith and conscience are called to stand against these evils in our state.
Canvas and SpeakOut The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival will once again be doing a simultaneous event across the country. The August event will look a little different than the simultaneous direct actions of the earlier part of the summer. In August, we will be going deep with our organizing work with an effort to register poor and disenfranchised people for the movement with canvassing that will include voter registration, working with attorneys to get rights restored for those who have been left unable to vote because of mass incarceration, and lifting up the leadership of the directly affected. Save the dates and plan to join us! More details will be coming soon!
Thursday, August 23: Afternoon and Evening Canvas
Friday, August 24: Afternoon and Evening Canvas
Saturday, August 25: 12-12:45 pm Speak Out, 1-3 pm Canvas
Organizing As the Tennessee Poor People’s Campaign moves into the autumn months we are looking to visit big cities and small towns across the state to engage with directly affected people, activists and clergy. We are looking for people in counties across the state — particularly those in more rural areas — who might be willing to take on organizing roles in their communities and help us plan for these gatherings in communities outside of major metropolitan areas. If you’re willing to help organize your community, send us an email to Tennessee@PoorPeoplesCampaign.org.
Donate If you are able, please consider a donation to the Tennessee Poor People’s Campaign. Your contribution will help with expenses for the upcoming canvas and speakout, as well as helping to fund a fall retreat for those who were engaged in the 40 Days of Action. This fall retreat will be a time to debrief, reflect and plan. Our fiscal partner is Mercy Junction Justice & Peace Center and checks can be mailed there to 1918 Union Ave., Chattanooga TN 37404; or, donations may be made online through Mercy Junction’s PayPal. Please include a note on your check or PayPal contribution, that the donation is for the TN PPC.
FORWARD TOGETHER, NOT ONE STEP BACK!
Beth Foster, Martin Hurley and the Rev. Alaina Cobb, Tennessee Poor People’s Campaign Tri-Chairs