this is one hour 45 minutes.

free until everybody is free. like rabbi abraham, we marched arm in arm with dr. martin luther king. we recognize prayer is meaningless unless it's a versus. we put pray with our actions. challenging and justice and dismantling structures of oppression. injustice everywhere threatens justice everywhere. we plan to eradicate property and dismantle the systems that -- poverty is a result of unjust structures and policy.

elizabeth howard, frances wright, advocates for human rights continue to inspire us. we welcome each one and say amen and shalom. >> can we say also on the lake. you may be seated. we are so thankful to all of you gathered here this morning, we are a little tight but we will ask other folks to come up if you take your chair and put them on the corner, our leader here in washington, d.c. just put your chairs right there on the corner because this is movement time. this is movement time. when it's movement time, we can all be together. we are here this morning and i am here with our powerful co-chair, the reverend and a bunch of people that you will hear from him in a minute that we call anchoring partners.

not all of them will be back early june to announce other anchors that are coming in. we are here this morning to announce that on june the 29th at 10:00, on pennsylvania and third, we are calling for the mass poor people's, low-wage workers assembly in march on washington, and to the polls june 29, 2024. on march the second, we had simultaneous actions in 30 five states and the district of columbia where poor and low-wage persons, religious and leaders and advocates joined at state capitals to launch a campaign to touch 15 million poor and low-wage infrequent voters in this country. this is the most massive block

where transformation can happen. over 33 million infrequent voters are poor and low-wage floaters can make a difference. in this season that we are in our goal is to center the desires and the political policy agenda of poor and low-wage persons along with religious leaders and advocates. too often poor and low-wage people are not talked about even though in this country today, there are 135 million poor and low-wage persons, there is not a stay in this country now where poor and low-wage persons do not make up 30% of the electorate. in states that we call battlegrounds, we really don't know what battleground states are because we have never seen a full mobilization. but in states that are called battleground, according to a study we did permission by liz and myself that was done with

professors from columbia university and others, we now know that in those states where the margin of victory was 3% or 5% in texas, that the number of poor and low-wage voters are between 35 and 40 plus percent of the electorate. we also know that there are numbers out there like these where liz is from, wisconsin, the margin of victory in the last election was about 20,000 votes, but the number of poor and low-wage voters that could've voted was over a million. in michigan, 10,000 was the margin of victory, the number of poor low-wage voters that could've voted bit and it was over a million. in pennsylvania, 40,000 low-wage voters that could've voted was over 1.4 million. in north carolina, the margin of victory was about 170,000, but the number of poor and low-wage rotors was right at a million, just under one million, over 900

thousand. in other words, in those four states alone, which are states that are deeply concerned in the political structures, you had over 4 million poor and low-wage voters that could've voted but didn't, but the margin of victory was only 270,000 votes. poor and low-wage voters are saying this season that our votes are demands and not merely support for candidates. and what we are doing is mobilizing those votes and saying to candidates, if you want these votes, then talk to poor and low-wage folks. the number one reason they do not vote according to the study is waking a sleeping giant is nobody talks to them. we have debate after debate for senate and for president and the issues that affect poor and low-wage persons do not come up. we had in 2020 and, a bill come up to pass a living wage of $15 an hour, which would've lifted

52 million poor and low-wage americans out of poverty and low-wage. 43% of african-americans alone, most of the persons would've been women and eight democrats and 49 republicans said no to 52 million americans. that 70% of americans want a raise in minimum wage because we haven't raised it since 2009. religious leaders are saying no more. we must mobilize his power and we want the media to be clear that when we talk about poverty, we are talking about in all of its areas, race, gender, geography. a third of all poor people live in the south, a third of all poor white people live in the south. nearly 60% of black people are poor and low-wage. but the majority of people who are poor and low-wage are white. 40 million more than the number of black folks in raw numbers.

the lodge lodge -- the largest demographic of poverty is among women. and our children are now 51% poor and low-wage. these are serious matters. and we have serious power. so this is an offense of move. we are calling on people to come by the thousands, by the thousands to join with us. this is a time for a mass mobilization of consciousness, to call people to vote. we don't just need a political vote, we need a movement vote that's not based on party, but based on principle. based on where people stand based on issues. this is a nonviolent one. we are the resurrection, not an insurrection. that's why we are coming. we are saying the last picture ought not be people tearing the capital up and trying to tear democracy down. we need a picture of trying to build democracy up and lift up

all people regardless of who they are. that's why we are coming. we have critical anchor partners that i will be introducing in just a moment. we have a promo we want you to see just before the reverend comes. but we want folks to be very clear. poor and low-wage people now have the power to shift and shape any election if they mobilize their power. later on, the tremendous projector will also talk about what this means and how she has said that anybody running for office that doesn't speak to the issues of poor and low-wage people not only violate the constitution that's required that we promote the general welfare of all people, not only violates our scriptures that says nations will be judged by how we treat the least of these, but it makes no political sense. it's a form of political foolishness and suicide not to reach out to 87 million

potential voters. and here is the agenda that we are unifying around. every group appear dozen angry -- i shouldn't say doesn't agree, some groups can't speak on certain issues because it's not within their agenda. but, what we've decided it is we have to come together where we can come together. and one thing affects the whole because we have learned something. the same people that voted against living wages vote against living -- women's rights. people who vote against women's rights vote against public education. the same people that vote against public delegate -- education vote against health care. folks that vote against health care vote against environmental justice. if they are cynical enough to be together, we need to be smart enough to come together. here is the agenda, and then we will have the promo in our co-chair will come to the microphone, then we will have

others follow suit. number one, our number one issue, i want you to hear this out there. poverty kills 295,000 people a year. it's the fourth leading cause of death in this country. over 800 people a day. abolish evil, unnecessary policy. first item, abolishing poverty as the fourth leading cause of death in the u.s. if you want these votes, talk to people about, if you get elected, how will you impact this agenda. number two, a living wage of $15 an hour with indexed for inflation so we don't have to do it every year or of -- or every other year. full and expanded voting rights. full and expanded voting rights. which includes things like d.c. statehood because that's a violation of voting rights. but it also includes stopping more than a thousand voter suppression bills that have been

passed since the voting rights act was gutted in 2013. no more voter suppression. guaranteed worker rights and labor rights. health care for all. affordable, adequate housing. strong social welfare and safety net programs. an end to gun violence in the proliferation and profiteering of guns. fully protected women's rights, environmental justice that secures clean air and water and land. justice for all indigenous nations. fully funded public education, just immigration law addressing militarism and the war economy. and 616, standing for peace, not war, calling for an immediate cease-fire in gaza that allows immediate relief and release of all hostages, peace and justice be pursued, and in addition, in end to genocide around the world. because we care about poor people in this country, we ought

to care about what's happening to poor people around the world. lastly, an end to hate, division, and extremist political agenda. that's what poor and low-wage people will be listening for when candidates talk to them. that's what we'll mobilize them to get out and vote. that's what we'll wake the sleeping giant and we intend to wake it all the way up. we will be leaving here today and mobilizing 7000 activists that will be training at in 35 states, plus the district of columbia, who are making a commitment for the 7045 a day over an eight week time actually means we can touch between 15 million and 16 million poor and low-wage frequent voters every eight weeks. we are working and we are serious about what we are doing. i'm leaving here and going to alabama to be with uaw and workers that are fighting in the

south, and then to stay four or five families over the course of the next month who are poor and low-wage. we are serious, we are serious. we have been building for four years -- since 2018, 2016, 2017, 2018. six years. but whatever the years have been , the bottom line is, we never built to be quiet. we never organized to sit on the sideline. we understand in this world you have to have voter participation, you have to have legislation, you have to have litigation in nonviolent agitation and we are committed to all of it. can we see the promo at this time, then we will bring up reverend liz harris. [video clip]

>> when covid happens, poor people were dying at a rate of 800 people a day. before covid, if you went to a funeral every single day, it would take you 600 years to attend all the funerals of the people who will die from the ravages of poverty and violence and poverty and low wages in america in one year. it would take you two years 19 days to go to all of the funerals of the people that will die today and often times, silence. nobody talks about this political genocide, but we are determined today to remember their debts and be a resurrection of voting power and voice power like never before. >> economic justice in saving this democracy are deeply connected. >> we as a nation must listen to the demands of the poor who are

pushing and will continue to push political candidates and elected leaders to list from the bottom -- lift from the bottom so that everybody can rise. >> we are the poor, the marginalized, and the underpaid, and we are taking one step forward to say that everybody has the right to live. >> poverty is not the fault of those that are impoverished, it is caused by those who make the policy. >> there over 135 million poor and low-wage, low income people in this nation. >> the biggest block of potential voters, by far, his low income, low-wage voters. >> i can't afford medicine, sometimes i have to skip because of the cost. >> the community is tired of the violence imposed upon us by greed, exclusion and denial of basic human rights.

>> those folks represented by the casket, poor and low-wage workers are the most moral people because they go to work every day believing, even though going to work is hazardous to their health. >> i am tired of working 70 to 80 hours a week and still not having money for the necessity and bills. i'm tired of getting sick and not being able to see the doctor. how can you make the choice to pay between rent, the light bill, food or close. >> you cannot claim to care about families and the culture of life and do everything in your power to rob people of equal access to resources and support them to live in poverty. >> both parties have wage war on poor people and low-wage. >> this government has treated people experiencing poverty with the neglect. so the truth is that my son died from poverty. >> we refuse to accept poverty as the fourth leading cause of death. >> the fourth leading cause of

death in the richest country in the world. >> we march today for our children and the generations to come. >> we need to do it with the loudest voice is possible. quakes we will voice our demands and register our votes. >> when we stand up is when we stand together, things change. >> there is the electorate that is and then there is the electorate that should be. >> 34 million eligible voters did not vote in 2016. 20% of those voters in swing states would mobilize a rounded agenda they could change the a little cold -- the political outcome of every election. we will turn out campaign in history of poor and low-wage voters. >> people are dying but we know it does not have to be this way so we are calling on everyone to

join us. >> we are here and we will be seen and heard in our power will be felt. we don't need to be an insurrection. we are a resurrection that will be felt across the country. are you ready? ready? ready? we are a revolution and we are ready. ♪

this is a crisis moment for our nation and our democracy. a democracy must meet the need of all its people and in order for our nation not to continue down this path, extreme wealth

for the few and the denial of basic rights and freedoms that diminish our democracy, we need for our political leaders to become moral leaders. and take seriously the needs and priorities of the millions of people struggling to survive. congress must lead by bringing together and bringing forth comprehensive legislation that serves the needs of all people like the restoration of the child tax credit and the raise of the minimum wage. the media must do more by covering the experiences of people struggling to get by. not just with the words and whims of the wealthy and powerful. and the white house must treat poverty like the part -- like the crisis it is. if this administration is serious about saving our democracy, we must come together today as a coalition of

consciousness, partnering organizations representing millions across the country, impacted by this crisis. today, we must speak with one voice as we raise demand for restoration and expansion of fundamental rights. we have fought and died for fair wages for the work that we do, legislation and policy that ensures a safety net for our elderly, our young, and a height already -- and a high-quality standard of living for all. that is more than possible in the wealthiest nation in the world. our pledge today is to make america a nation for all these people. we will assemble in washington, d.c. on june 29 to make our voices and demands heard. we will then fan out all of the -- out all over the country to raise the issue that must be addressed in 2024 and beyond by politicians at the levels of government, and we will cast our votes in november.

we must come together with his -- with this ever-growing coalition representing the millions of powerful, assembling a moral march on washington on june 29 june 29 and into the polls in november. and as we say in this movement, "forward together" -- >> and not one step back! >> thank you. >> thank you. rev. theoharis: good morning. >> good morning. >> we are gathered here today as poor and low income people, as clergy and moral leaders and advocates and activists, agitators and organizers. we are from more than 30 states, from rural and urban areas, all genders and sexualities, races and ethnicities. we are from many different religious traditions and those not observant of a particular faith but who believe we must bend the arc of history towards justice.

we are young and old and all the way in between. we are some of the 135 million poor and low income people in the richest country to ever exist and we are mobilizing and organizing and educating people, and we will be here in washington, d.c. on june 29, just two months from today, hearing the demands of four and -- of poor and low income voters, waking this sleeping giant, enlivening and enlarging the electorate of poor and low-income voters. when he was announcing the poor people's campaign more than 50 years ago, the reverend dr. martin luther king said, "power for poor people will really mean having the ability that -- ability, the togetherness, the assertiveness, and the aggressiveness to make the power

structure of this nation say yes when they may be desirous to say no." well, we are tired of nos, no to raising the minimum wage, no to expanding health care for all, no call to not fund war, no to programs of social and economic uplift, no to ending death by poverty. and so we are building power for yesses. yesses to invest in education, yes to immigrant rights, yes to voting rights, yes to lgbtq rights and women's rights and to honoring and respecting indigenous peoples and tribes. yes. yes, yes, yes to lifting from the bottom, so that all of us

may rise and thrive and not just barely survive. we know and we have heard and we will continue to hear this morning that poor and low-income voters make up nearly 40% of the electorate in some key places, and when we come together, around a moral agenda, we have the power to fundamentally transform the politics of this nation. when we launch the poor people's -- we launched the poor people's campaign, a national call for moral revival, about six years ago with the largest and most expansive wave of nonviolent civil disobedience possible, we -- disobedience at state capitals, we committed that we would gather in washington, d.c., in june, before, every year before a big election, and invite elected officials and presidential candidates to hear the demands of this movement, to build this power, and to prepare for the work that we have ahead of us.

it's immoral and it's wrong that we throw out more food than it takes to feed everybody. it's immoral and it's wrong that there are five abandoned homes for every unhoused person in this country. and yet millions have nowhere to lay their heads. it is immoral and wrong that there's not a county, city or town in this country where someone working full-time on the federal minimum wage can afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment. and get corporations are making billions, even trillions, on the back of low-wage workers. but as we know in this campaign, does not have to be this way. the issues most important to the daily lives of the majority of people in this country are on the ballot this year and we are turning up and turning out. we are going to make these politicians hear us because we are the people who have the power to transform the society and will we show up for this

mass assembly and moral march on washington and to the polls, we are going to build the world that we all have the right to be in. we are going to build this movement. we are going to be led by the people. we are going to come together, reject this narrative of religious nationalism, choose life and truth and justice and peace and let us move forward together. not one step back. >> amen. amen.

i want to reiterate what others have said to say this is literally the largest untapped bloc that can produce a seismic political change in our system in every single state, in every strategy will embark on, the south, the blue welcome arizona, whatever the strategy is in the swing states. literally in every single swing state, as you outlined, reverend , 10 to 80 times the number of margin of victory are poor people who do not vote. as you said, arizona, 10,000. 839,000 poor people who did not vote. georgia, 12,000 margin.

746,000 people who didn't vote. wisconsin, 20000 and one million. north carolina, 74000 and 1.1 million. every single state, 10 times to 80 times the margin of victory were present in poor people who did not vote. we can talk about it but there are three things politically i think this effort does that is truly unique. one is reaching out to people at the grassroots. it is a bottom up model. it is in community, mobile. that is what will make the most difference. two, provide candidates with the information to talk to voters about their real lived experience and what matters to them in their lives. and three, there are initiatives in a number of states that can help bring these voters out. i won't mention all of them but in arizona, ohio, michigan, we

have one fair wage on the ballot. you talk to poor people. don't go out i just vote for these politicians. vote yourself a raise. that is motivating coming from local voices. again, this is politically game changing. and it is not just at the margins. it is at the core of a seismic change that could lead things -- could leave things different political. if we look back on 2024 and don't get involved in this campaign, we will either look back at a game changing decision we made or a stupid strategic decision to not get involved. thank you, reverend, for all you do and everyone on this call. >> thank you. thank you. she is looking at those numbers hard just like we do because our movement is both oratorical and it is also studious. we believe in connecting the two together. so if you are out there, the

assembly and moral march on washington to the polls, june 29, 10:00. if you are about love, justice, establishing justice, nonviolence, lifting up everybody, then join us. and liz said something i want to reiterate, people come. you will not get to speak from the stage. but come and hear. come out. is it not high time that we hear from impacted people? right? that is what this campaign has always been about. so now, what we want to do is, last year, the last election, we organized 400 people. we have already tested this model and touched 2.7 million voters. and we have the metrics where we can show the number of persons that were not voting that we

turned out and the difference they made in states. so this is not just hyperbole. this is serious, studied out agenda and activism. we want to have now elena hurley from west virginia. is that right? and will caroll for that from -- will caroll from massachusetts. they are going to come to invite their peers and others and say why they are mobilizing and why they are part of this movement. and they represent thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of people across this country. that are organizing. give them a big hand. [applause] >> good to see you. you all come on up here. >> good morning. it is a great honor and a privilege to be here but more than that i am here with a purpose. my name is elena hurley from west virginia.

i am a tri-state chairperson with the west virginia poor people's campaign. i am one of the 666,000 poor and low wage workers in my state. this accounts for 37.9% of the population. there are 313,952 people or 39.7% of the working force earning less than $15 an hour. i am one of those people. hardships. i am a person living with disabilities. i have been determined by the social security administration as disabled. therefore a recipient of ssdi. $708 a month.

it is not enough to live humanely. why am i working and earning less than what it requires to sustain my basic living needs when i have no business working while enduring physical disabilities that make basic daily tasks challenging? i am not alone. we just heard a judgment on the -- heard a gentleman on the video and he said working is hazardous to his health. i had to make a sacrificial decision to return to the workforce just so i can try to meet basic human needs such as shelter, food, water, and utilities. i have had numerous utility termination notices that never seem to end. sometimes having to go without electricity, running water, or heat until the next payday or the rigorous search for the government assistance programs

only to be told i am ineligible because my income exceeds the guideline amount. with disability income and work income, i make a few dollars above the poverty threshold, leaving me not eligible for medicaid. while maintaining a job with no health care benefits. my son's senior graduation year of 2023, i had to make the agonizing choice between purchasing his cap and gown or pay the bills. i inevitably chose to buy his cap and gown. policymakers, you are not going to steal that joy from my son and me. since returning to work at less pay than what it takes to live humanely, i have lost my snap benefits, my medicaid, and am

ineligible for most government assistance programs. on april 21, 2024, i was admitted to the hospital for a stomach ulcer and gastrointestinal complications. my ulcer and complications are partially stress-induced by incessant worry of providing for me and my family. i am exhausted physically and mentally but not broken spiritually. [applause] it is by the spirit of god, love for my brothers and sisters in the struggle, that i am here today, mobilizing and organizing to get myself and west virginia to washington, d.c., on june 29 and mobilizing and organizing to

the polls this upcoming november election and beyond. thank you. [applause] >> new tribe chair. all power. that's right. >> good morning. good morning. my name is william carol and i and from the great state of massachusetts, where 2.3 million massachusetts residents are poor and low income, accounting for 34% of the state's population and is home to 1.3 million poor and low-income eligible voters who make up 23% of the electorate. i am a pca with seiu 1199 and the coordinator with the poor

people's campaign. i began -- apologies. >> don't apologize. >> i began to experience homelessness at the age of -- there were many nights where i had to sleep on the streets alone without the security and protection of my mother or father. i was in the dss system from the time i was eight until 17. my family life was so tough, i knew i was better off alone in the streets than at home. low-wage paying jobs, violence, alcohol, and abuse of all kinds, caused in large part by poverty, was the main reason for my family's situation.

as an adult, i went from working at mcdonald's to becoming a pca -- a personal care assistant. despite my hard work as a personal care attendant, or pca, being a father of five beautiful daughters has been actually difficult over the years. covid has made it even more difficult and continued raised prices make it near possible to -- near impossible, impossible i say, to survive and thrive in this society. i find myself continuously struggling to ensure my children have the best life that i can provide. when i first started working as a pca, i was only working five to 10 hours a week. what started out as a few hours

a week with no benefits at all has become a career with 20 years of service as a unionized member of 1199 seiu. [applause] 1199 seiu, the union that represents personal care attendants in massachusetts, recently reached new contract negotiations after a bitter several months of negotiations with the state of massachusetts. the three year contract will gradually increase pay for pca's which, by the way, does not meet the basic rate of pay for $32 an hour to live in massachusetts. this contract win came with a cruel act by governor haley of massachusetts in attempting to cut 6000 or more vulnerable people in need of services from the pca program. who have 10 hours or less. and diminishing the quality of

care for those that remained on the program. if that was the case 20 years ago, the person i care for, as well as many others, would not have lived as long as they have. it takes jobs away from passionate home care workers, removes needed services from our most vulnerable and valued citizens, all for the sake of saving a few dollars. that is just sad. some massachusetts lawmakers , along with governor haley, has redefined the needs for those living with disabilities based on their own unintelligible and insensitive intellect and rather than the expertise of health care providers and experts. governor haley claims there is a need to balance the massachusetts budget and the best way to do it is on the backs of those with disabilities. all while giving tax incentives to corporations. this is cruel, unjust, and

inhumane. this is why we need -- this is why there is a need for the poor people's campaign and this is why i am in this movement, to take back the mic from the extremists, raise our voices in votes, and make ourselves heard -- make our power felt from the statehouse to the white house. to awake the sleeping giant and to be a resurrection, not an insurrection. massachusetts poor people's campaign is organizing and mobilizing for june 29 and to the polls in the upcoming election and beyond. thank you. [applause] >> this is the power. all over the country, all over, these are the voices that will be centered. did you hear him say, take back the mic from extremists,

organize our power, make our votes heard and felt, and we are a resurrection not an insurrection. mass poor peoples, low-wage workers, simply -- workers assembly and moral march march on washington, and to the polls, june 29, 2024. waking the sleeping giant, organizing to mobilize, touch, and move 15 million poor and low wage infrequent voters. and brothers and sisters, here is the other piece you should hear. most of these voters are already registered. the issue is they have said that nobody talks to them. well, when nobody talks to you, you have to make them talk to you. you organize your power. that is what is happening.

we want to thank our brothers and sisters for coming. now we're going to have some anchor partners. this is not all of them. these are folk who are saying they're going to mobilize their constituencies and they are going to come and tell you how large those constituencies are as we build together. the poor people's campaign is not another organization. we are a movement. we invite everybody. we are not into turf wars, we are into transformation. and so -- we're on c-span for about an hour. we are asking everyone to come and take two minutes. we want you to take two minutes and say from your perspective why you are mobilizing, why you're mobilizing. the first person we are going to have to come who has been with us from the beginning, been arrested and all kinds of stuff -- most folk appear have -- is dr. terry horn, the president of the disciples of christ.

following her, we will then have bishop mckenzie, who has said that the entire national council of churches is going to be mobilizing both on the 29th and in this effort to mobilize voters and then we're going to have roz. she told me to tell you hello. fred redman, the secretary-treasurer representing the president of the entire afl-cio. this is huge stuff. this is a story. they have said we are uniting and coming in. and then from mary kay henry with seiu. that's right. how are you doing? it has been a long time. i know. we also want you to know that george grisham sends his regards, and that seiu 1199 is

also going to be mobilizing. historically, you should know that they stuck with dr. king, for instance, when others did not. you should also know that today -- i don't know if i mentioned this -- but this is the 13th -- 11th anniversary of the beginning of moral monday in north carolina. today. this afternoon. the first 50 people would have gone into do civil disobedience which led to tens of thousands and victory in the southern -- in a southern state, but it took us four years of fighting because we are in it to win it for the long-haul. let me invite them to come. then we're going to bring up everybody else afterwards. >> i'm honored to represent over 3000 congregations in the united

states and canada and nearly 500,000 members and parishioners. as a christian minister, i'm inspired and informed by the teachings of jesus christ, simply to love god and to love your neighbor as yourself. this means that i want for others what i want for myself, a living wage indexed by inflation that allows me to provide for my family, health care for all, safe and affordable housing, quality schools that do not depend on my zip code, the ability to vote without fear of intimidation or suppression, safety in the streets for my children from gun violence. this means i want to be sure there is a safety net to ensure that no one suffers needlessly. too often we hear these policies are too costly.

[applause] bishop mckenzie. we are trying to make sure the volume comes up in the room. zoom, yes. all right, that's good.

every time they pass money for the military, it is time now to not have a problem when it comes to funding dealing with poor people and low-wage people. bishop, can you hear us? >> yes, i can, dr. barber. can you hear me? >> yes, we can. >> thank you for everyone who has shared thus far. dr. terry, also part of the national council of churches. we represent 37 denominations, 100,000 congregations, and more than 30 million members. we are here today to shed light on the dire circumstances faced by so many individuals in our country. as an anchor sponsor the poor sponsor of the poor people's -- sponsor of the poor people's

campaign upcoming march, we are committed to advocating for those who are living well below the poverty line, struggling to make ends meet on a daily basis, and unable to access basic necessities for themselves and for their families. every day, countless children go to bed hungry. parents work multiple jobs just to put food on the table. families are forced to make impossible choices between paying bills and seeking medical care. this is not a statistic. these are not numbers on a page. these are real people with real lives who are suffering due to the systemic inequalities that plague our country. our legislators, our political leaders, heavy -- have a moral obligation to use their power and influence in statehouses and congress and in communities across the country to address the urgent issues and work towards solutions that promote economic justice and wealth for -- and well-being for all american citizens. so we call on our elected officials to champion policies -- officials to prioritize the

needs of the most vulnerable among us and to champion policies that uplift and support those who are marginalized and disenfranchised. we will not go silently into the night. we will stand together, raise our voices and demand change. the time is now. the time is now for action. we cannot afford to ignore the cries of the suffering in the pleas of the rest -- of the oppressed so let's commit ourselves to creating a future where poverty is eradicated and where every person is able to live with dignity and respect, where justice and equality prevail for all of us. yes, there is enough. >> yes, yes. there is enough. [applause] i am glad that the bishop said eradicate. we need to talk abolishing, eradication. not just treating it a little bit. not just treating it a little bit. let's welcome our dear friend, who is the secretary-treasurer the afl-cio, brother fred redman.

thank you so much for being here. >> thank you. i am fred redman, the secretary-treasurer of the afl-cio. we are a federation of national -- 60 national unions representing 12.5 million working people in every state and territory and in all parts of our economy. we are honored and we are committed to come together with bishop barber and dr. theoharis and the poor people's campaign. and our partners in the faith and civil rights and social justice movements to mobilize working people and use our collective voice to demand an end to systemic economic justice -- injustice and this scourge of poverty. the american labor movement, we fight for all working people and their families. we fight injustice in our communities and at work and we are committed to vanquishing oppression in all of its forms.

and, look, there is no greater form of a pressure than when a country with immense resources and wealth allows its people to suffer and die from a lack of resources. poverty is a failure of the system. it exists because we allow it to exist. and dr. king knew that. he saw poverty for what it was, a moral failing of our government. a government that allows its people to go hungry, to live unsheltered, to live sick or injured without access to health care. it is a morally bankrupt government. a nation, dr. king said, cannot be a great nation if it is not a compassionate nation, if it cannot care for or concern itself with the nation's most vulnerable. it does not allow for the full humanity of every single person within its borders. workers rights, civil rights, and human rights are on the ballot this election.

and america's voters will decide that we are going to stay the course and keep on this path toward a more compassionate government or revert back to its morally bankrupt nation. look, the american labor movement is committed to registering, mobilizing union members and union families around the mass mobilization on june 29. we are going to elect lawmakers who will advocate for workers and poor people, to elect leaders who will put people over profits, protect our democracy, and advance worker and civil and human rights. look, together we can put in and -- put an end to poverty and create a more compassionate nation. and together we will do just that. forward together, not one step back! >> thank you. >> thank you, dr. redman. [applause]

people say how are you going to do 17 million? not by ourselves, but with partner. when we all get together, what a day of justice it will be. seiu has been with us from the beginning. all right. love you. >> thank you so much. thank you. it is so great to be here. i'm sending greetings from the secretary general and treasurer. it is wonderful to be in solidarity with so many of you partners and this incredibly important cause. seiu represents over 2 million service and care workers. and we believe in a vision of a just society where all people respected and all workers are valued, where all families and communities thrive and where we leave a more better and more equitable world for generations to come. and i want everybody to know that seiu is ready to mobilize on june 29.

and we are ready for a massive border mobilization to get people to the polls and continue to be a power after the election. seiu members know what is at stake in this election. our democracy, our economy, our future. but we also know that it takes all of us in this room to be together, to organize, to mobilize with many more partners because we are going to mobilize our power. we are going to build our power and we are going to protect our power. we are very excited to join the efforts to reach out to millions of multiracial border across the country. our goal is not only to turn out votes, but to build power in communities of color and end poverty wage jobs once and for all.

and then we will continue the livestream and we have thousands of people tuning in the livestream. i want to call some folks and stand real quick. we will still get you to the microphone but i i want folks to know who you are. presbyterian reverend jimmy hawkins. where you at? reverend jimmy hawkins. [applause] that's right. ussw from down south. there you are. all right. common cause. been with us from the beginning.

virginia is new to common cause. that is our sister. good trouble. make it plain. reverend mark thompson. ain't nobody like that jewish -- the national council of jewish women. sheila has been right there. muslim islamic faith imam sharif online. you unitarians. he's right here. this brother has been everywhere with us. everywhere. we know forward justice. i don't know if they are in the house or online. forward justice. building our legal team to make sure we do it right. ame church. reverend gail and reverend mariah cruz. all right. kentucky for commonwealth. kentuckians for the commonwealth online. dr. chris zacharias.

from the ame zion church mobilizing in d.c. where is clinton and sig and who else? clinton and maz and sig and danielle. i'm getting old now. my mind sometimes. that is all of us. lord have mercy, that is all of us. we are bringing some more. we are thankful to everybody. we will also have ms. allen talked about how artists are organizing -- ms. allen talk about how artists are organizing and coming from across the country. stand up. we are bringing everybody in. say everybody in. nobody out. now we want to do this. alabama! turn on. if you are online, say forward together. >> forward together, alabama is in the house. >> all right. >> california? >> california in the house. >> are you mobilizing? >> yes, we are.

>> delaware? >> delaware in the house and we are mobilizing. >> georgia? >> georgia is here. we are mobilizing, organizing, and educating. >> all right. illinois? illinois? indiana? i know they up there because i have a check here. they might be on mute. >> indiana in the house. >> all right. kentucky? maine? >> we are mobilizing. >> maine is ready to go, forward together. >> all right. maryland? >> maryland is mobilizing. plex all right, maryland. massachusetts? >> massachusetts is in the house and ready to mobilize. >> nebraska? >> nebraska is in the house and we are ready to mobilize. >> new jersey?

>> forward together new jersey is in the house. >> new york? >> energizing. >> new york is in the house and we are ready to go. >> all right. oklahoma? >> oklahoma in the house and we organizing and ready to go. >> south carolina? >> south carolina is ready. >> all right. tennessee? >> tennessee, the volunteer state, is going to show up. >> north carolina? who is from north carolina? there's north carolina. all right. all right. all right. all right. texas? >> texas in the house and we are mobilizing. >> washington state? >> washington state is in the house and mobilizing. >> all right. washington, d.c.? [cheers] >> they are ready and stay ready. and west virginia? >> we are in the house and we are mobilizing.

>> is there anybody i didn't call? say it. >> rhode island. >> kansas in the house and mobilizing. >> kansas. all right. >> missouri. >> all right. >> oregon. >> anybody else? >> florida. >> anybody else? >> you got north carolina, right? >> do it twice, be nice. anybody else? >> mississippi? >> mississippi! all right. what we want the media to know is that not only will people be coming on tour night but they will be watch and mobilize gatherings. to mobilize people to vote.

we are serious about this. it is time to go offensive. it is time to use our power and mobilize and make it felt. so we want to recognize everybody. now we want to call on those of you who are in the house to come up and say why you are mobilizing. we know the livestream may go off c-span but we will stay on the other livestream. at this time we want to bring up ussw. we want to bring up presbyterian reverend jimmy hawkins. that is a whole other connection, me and jimmy hawkins. i will tell you about it one day if you give me $20. i will tell you everything. common cause right after jimmy. and then good trouble with reverend thompson and then i will call the rest of the folk. two minutes. come on. [applause] >> good morning, everybody.

my name is eric winston and i am a working leader for the union of southern service workers and i'm a catering cook for the durham bulls. i started organizing because i am sick and tired of poverty that comes from being in the service industry. i'm tired of working different low-wage jobs over and over thinking that just working hard will get me what i need. i'm tired of seeing my elders in my life struggle to get by doing the same work i do. i am working 60 to 70 hours a week and still not having money for bills. i'm tired of being sick and not being able to see the doctor. having to make a choice to pay rent, light bill, food, or even child support. i organize today because i'm sick and tired of fighting by myself. there are more people in my situation that may not look like me but we are going to the same struggles. so we only need to vote for politicians who will uphold workers rights.

i am here today because 2024 is an election year and we have the right to have our voices heard at the polls. our right to vote is precious. many people died for our right to vote. as working people, we should only vote for politicians who support the rights of workers, period. we need strong unions and a seat at the table. we need the minimum wage to be raised to a living wage, consistent scheduling and health and safety on the job and we need to be protected from discrimination, period. my vote is reserved for politicians who will honor these demeans. why do we need to put pressure -- why we need to organize and put pressure in addition to voting for the right people? i say this. we need to build unions with strong organizations and strong unions within our workplaces so we can put grassroots pressure

on anybody who stands in our way. we need to build bridges between each other and not let the bosses or politicians divide us. when we fight for unity, there is nothing we can't achieve. and the only way we win is to organize. forward together. >> never back. >> that's right. reverend hawkins, would you come? in virginia? >> i come on behalf of the will be present for the moral march on washington on june 29 here in washington, d.c. we as presbyterians commit ourselves to being a moral ally as we stand with the poor people's campaign in its call for comprehensive wages, for low-wage workers who deserve to make enough money to feed their children, to provide warm

clothing in the winter and cool clothing in the summer. a coke -- a call for full and universal health care for all people. we stand with the poor people's campaign in its call for justice and integrity on the part of the united states supreme court in its rulings that should favor those who are facing discrimination and need a fair arbitrator of justice. this is a call for the restoration of the voting rights act. people have a right to vote in this country. it is not a privilege. we stand with the poor people's campaign for all the issues of justice for which it is putting forth. the presbyterian church will be there with you. [applause] >> my name is virginia and i'm the president and ceo of common cause. our organization was founded in 1971 to be the people's lobby because corporations and everybody else with money tends to have representatives in our state houses and in congress but yet we don't. that is why we are here today

partnering with the poor people's campaign and all of you because we believe this marches -- believe that this march is not only moral and just, it is not just about getting voters out to the polls. it is about keeping our feet on the backs of politicians who have been elected who have forgotten who they are accountable to. let's not forget it is not just about -- we're not all done come november 6. >> that's right. >> there is a follow-up to this that is critically important because we have to hold them accountable because the reality is, had we done our job and held them accountable -- i'm not try to victim blame but what i will say is had we done our jobs, our agenda would have been enacted already. because we would not keep voting in the same people. so we have a responsibility to make sure poor and low wage workers -- i want to come and -- want to commend the people

who have spoken here today and been vulnerable and shared their stories. because it is hard. i was a teenage mom. i needed wic, food stamps, i needed help to get by. and but for the grace of god and good government programs -- because this was a long time ago -- i would not be in the position i am now. everybody should have the same access and have that safety net and support when it is needed because we don't want charity. people want to be able to live a life. live a life. and so that is why we are here today, not only to commit to the moral march, not only to commit to this action june 29 -- common cause will be there and we will turn up and turn out -- but it is to be in solidarity with each and every one of you and every poor and low wealth earner who wants to have their voice heard and make sure we stand together beyond november 5 to make sure that we hold our elected politicians accountable. thank you. [applause]

>> sister is clear and i'm glad she brought it up, don't think that liz and i are talking about this mobilizing 200 people and touching 15 million ends in november. we are going to know where they are. we are going to keep those contacts and continue to have folk because we want to hear from these candidates. what are you going to do the first 50 days? are you going to tell us now so we know how are votes to be -- support. it is not about party, it is about support. support for policy, not just for individual and personality. am i right? at this time, we want to ask to come together, we have our dear sister to come up who is with the national council of jewish women, sheila, and then we want to ask imam sharif who is on the screen i believe. and we want to ask mark thompson. i am calling you in this order.

would you come at this time? come and stand with sheila, our dear sister. just had a good conversation with rick jacobs and others. and then a uaa rep. let's stand together. we bring everybody together. >> yeah. happy passover. as we gathered during this holy time -- we gather during this holy time for jews, we reflect on the story for jewish people. we remember moses's plea to pharaoh, let my people go. true liberation, however, is not achieved by solitary leaders but by the collective efforts of a holy community, a community that rises against the multitude of oppressions plaguing our society. today we confront the pervasive injustices that afflict our

nation, systemic racism, economic exploitation, christian nationalism, misogyny, homophobia, anti-semitism, islamophobia, ableism, and more. these injustices manifest in policies that perpetuate poverty, deny health care, and suppress the voices of marginalized communities. but we refuse to accept this reality. we refuse to be complacent in the face of injustice. together we mourn the victims of gun violence, racism, and bigotry. together we reject the erosion of women's rights and human dignity. together we commit to bending the moral arc of the universe toward justice. together we mobilize to get 15 million poor and low wage and infrequent voters to the polls. inspired by rabbi abraham, we pray with our feet, marching to the polls, using our vote and demanding an end to poverty and systemic oppression because it

is our turn now to find the courage and collective power to dismantle the modern-day pharaohs and systems of oppression that plague our nation. [applause] >> modern-day. [applause] >> modern-day. thank you. he had to step off that he sends his love and says we will stand united. >> amen. good morning. thank you to bishop barber for gathering is here. the coalition of over 50 can together to organize the march on washington in 2021 and we stayed together to try to continue to educate, organize, and mobilize around urgent issues such as these. there are a myriad of issues that we face in our communities amongst our constituencies gathered here and honored to be with all of our comrades. some of whom are members of the coalition.

sometimes it is challenging to figure out what issue to fight. at this time there are so many. but it is our contention, my contention, wherever there is a lack of these things, there is an abundance of poverty and low wages. so we come together around this issue because this overlaps all of these other issues.

wherever there is a lack of health care and voting rights, lgbt rights and immigrant rights, there is an abundance of poverty. wherever there is a lack of jobs and labor unions and sensible gun laws in women's bodily autonomy, there is an abundance of poverty. wherever there is a lack of racial justice and legal rights, criminal justice reform, access to adequate legal representation , an alternative to incarceration and police reform, wherever those things are in lack, there is an abundance of poverty. wherever there is a lack of what is now under attack, the diversity, equity, and inclusion, affirmative action, investment in education, a lack of educational opportunities, there is an abundance of poverty. sheila is right, wherever there is lack of religious tolerance, racial harmony, and beloved community, there is an abundance of poverty. sisters and brothers, we never need to ask permission to do the lord's work. i contend we do not need to ask permission to finish dr. king's work. he did not retire. the poor people's campaign could not come together and decide, we're just not going to do this anymore because we are bored and not interested.

we know what happened. it is our duty to pick up his baton and move forward. they always talk about the people who don't want to vote, people aren't going to vote. they never talk about the impoverished and low-wage individuals. we want to lift them up and bring them forth. if we address these issues, we will address all these others. god bless you all. for together, not one step. back. >> 15 presidential debates in 2020 not one of them took 10 minutes even to talk about the policies that would impact 140 billion people at that time. 295,000 people were dying. no more. no more. we will center poor and low wage people into the center of our political debates, discussion, and policymaking and make it clear this is about love, truth, justice, about nonviolence, about hope and building righteous power for good. at this time, we want to ask reverend gail and mariah to come. we have kentuckians for the commonwealth i believe online if they are still online.

forward justice is online. they will come at the end of those who are here. reverend dr. chris zacharias and dr. jackson. gail and mariah and chris and then we will do the ones online. thank you, sir. >> thank you, reverend barber and dr. theoharis for bringing us together. i am with the unitarian universalist association and hindus for human rights, two movements that are guided by principles of affirming and promoting the inherent worth, dignity, and divinity of every person.

and justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. i am guided by the ancient hindu text. may all be well, may all be peaceful, may all be whole, may all be fit for excellence and may no one suffer. we are at a critical moment in our nations history where the very essence of our democracy is under threat. that is not an understatement or an overstatement. across our land, policies are being proposed and passed that you rode the foundations of our democratic principles denying basic rights to millions of our fellow neighbors. as we confront this harsh reality, we must ask ourselves the question, what kind of democracy do we want to live in? because it is a staggering truth that over 130 finally people in our nation are poor or just one emergency way from economic devastation.

millions of workers earn less than a living wage with women and people of color disproportionately affected and yet the voices of poor and low wage workers are too often ignored in political campaigns. we find ourselves in a moral crisis and we have allowed to become -- allowed poverty to become the fourth leading cause of death in the wealthiest country in the world. we should be ashamed. in a nation of abundant resources for poverty could be eradicated with political resolve, the voices of poor and low wage people must not be ignored and therefore we are mobilizing and organizing for an event that champions the rights

of all, prioritizing access to health care, debt relief, living wages, and robust anti-poverty initiatives and an expansion not suppression of voting rights. and we confront the insidious influence of militarism and the work, perpetuating violence at home and abroad and we urgently demand and reviewed ceasefire in gaza enabling critical humanitarian aid to the people and the release of all captives. so let us compare our elected -- compel our elected officials to use their position to address these issues and urge voters to scrutinize where candidates stand on these critical matters . our votes are not just for support, nor are they entitlements of support, they are moral demands for systemic change. friends, join us in this urgent call for change. join us at the poor people's campaign and national call for moral revival, mobilizing in

washington, d.c., june 29, and to the polls, and beyond where our voices will be heard in our demands for change will not be ignored. for together. >> not one step back. my fellow advocates, partners, champions of justice, i'm a reverend from the historical african methodist episcopal church consisting of over 7000 congregations and 2.5 million members across the globe. as i stand here today united with you all by a shared commitment to both justice and equality, we are reminded of the profound challenges facing our nation. this national call for moral revival seeks to ignite a flame of hope -- seeks to a night of flame of hope in the hearts of millions, calling upon us to confront the interlocking injustices that gripped our society today. on june 29, i'm so excited to partner alongside thousands of my fellow human beings for this mass moral march on washington.

it is a mobilization of unprecedented scale as we reach out to 15 million infrequent voters across the country and in this critical moment when our democracy hangs in the balance, we must stand as moral witnesses and mobilize for a movement vote to save our democracy and to save the hearts of this nation. we are in the middle of a moral , hours per weke end meet . the rising cost of living has

contributed to washington, d.c., having one of the largest homeless populations in the country with 9.3 people per 1000 residents. this has to stop. i'm willing to help it stop. the church is mobilizing faith leaders to join the movement to fight for a living wage in health care and affordable housing. the poor and low income eligible voters will go to the polls and sway the election. if you are a faithful leader, we must address and challenge the interlocking system, racism, ecological devastation and moral narrative of christian militarism, join us. if you believe moral and religious leaders must address and challenge abolishing power to -- poverty, join us. if you believe moral and religious leaders must address and challenge the living minimum wage of at least $15 per hour, if you are a faith leader believing in expanded voter rights, join us. if you believe in guaranteed workers rights, health care, housing, join us. on june 29, a rally cry of demands of right now action of division, extremist political agenda, the cry of the poor will be heard. we are for it together. >> i'm alvin jackson. i'm pleased and proud to stand here with dr. lucille , all of our anchored partners and all of you, i'm pleased and proud to stand ready, readyrect 2024 in washington dc.

i'm happy today to announce a new initiative of the powers of the breach. a new initiative of holyso ramadan recently come addition of -- initiative, keeping the faith campaign. we are calling on state leaders to sign the new haven declaration. reclaiming our voice. speaking, preaching, teaching, leaving all of the big moral issues of our day. not being started screenings, 50 plus screenings all across the country of the powerful documentaries, christian nationalism's unholy war on democracy. communities all over the country are signing up. carolyn foster just signed up for seven screenings in alabama. during the pentecost weekend to host screenings of this 29. we invite you to sign up and join us. i'm happy to announce us, we are ready for june 29.

former justice. kentuckians for commonwealth. good morning, i'm an attorney with board justice, one of the anchoring organizations for june 29. the moral march on washington. we are committed to organizing and mobilizing people for d.c. we recognize the dire state of our nation with the union people and voter suppression happening in the south and across the nation. change the south, change the nation. we must remain steadfast and committed to action. that is why we are going back to court next monday to challenge north carolina's discriminatory voter acting law. we will keep fighting for the voting rights of formerly incarcerated people. if our votes did not matter there would not be such a push for control. we must demand expansion and not the rollback of voting rights. incarcerated people's voices matter. the money spent on mass incarceration, the condition of our jails are horrific. medical care is often delayed or denied. they are causing illnesses. populations are being harmed, people even killed by correctional officers. those contracted to run the prisons become rich. in 2023, the federal government sent -- spent $1.1 trillion on wars and weapons, mass incarceration, deep ora -- deportation. we must organize and prepare for the reconstruction. we call for an immediate cease-fire in guys up. >> we are going to have to move. what i wanted to make sure that

you let folks know was that the legal groups will be handling this. they will try to trip you up when you start talking about moving and registering voters. what we want the center for constitutional law and others is to make sure you let the media now that you are surrounding us with the legal protection that we need. that is the peace we need. thank you so much. >> hey. i'm out here in kentucky. on june 29, the moral outcry of the poor will be heard. join the people's campaign because we are for it together. >> i'm alvin jackson, i'm proud to stand here with all of our

anchored partners and all of you, i'm pleased and proud to stand ready, readyrect 2024 in washington dc. i'm happy today to announce a new initiative of the powers of the breach. a new initiative of holy seasons, passover and ramadan recently come addition of -- initiative, keeping the faith campaign. we are calling on state leaders to sign the new haven declaration. reclaiming our voice.

speaking, preaching, teaching, leaving all of the big moral issues of our day. not being started screenings, 50 plus screenings all across the country of the powerful documentaries, christian nationalism's unholy war on democracy. communities all over the country are signing up. carolyn foster just signed up for seven screenings in alabama. during the pentecost weekend to

host screenings of this 29th. we invite you to sign up and join us. i'm happy to announce us, we are ready for june 29. the email is keep faith at breach repairers.org. write us and respond to us because we are standing ready for june 29. not an insurrection, but a resurrection. we are ready for a resurrection. together? >> know, former justice.

former justice. former justice. kentuckians for commonwealth. are you online? >> time here online. good morning, i'm an attorney with board justice, one of the anchoring organizations for june 29. the moral march on washington. we are committed to organizing and mobilizing people for d.c. we recognize the dire state of our nation with the union people and voter suppression happening in the south and across the nation. change the south, change the nation. we must remain steadfast and committed to action. that is why we are going back to court next monday to challenge north carolina's discriminatory voter acting law. we will keep fighting for the voting rights of formerly incarcerated people. if our votes did not matter there would not be such a push for control.

we must demand expansion and not the rollback of voting rights. incarcerated people's voices matter. the money spent on mass incarceration, the condition of our jails are horrific. medical care is often delayed or denied. they are causing illnesses. populations are being harmed, people even killed by correctional officers.

those contracted to run the prisons become rich. in 2023, the federal government sent -- spent $1.1 trillion on wars and weapons, mass incarceration, deep ora -- deportation. we must organize and prepare for the reconstruction. we call for an immediate cease-fire in guys up. >> we are going to have to move. what i wanted to make sure that you let folks know was that the legal groups will be handling this. they will try to trip you up when you start talking about moving and registering voters. what we want the center for constitutional law and others is to make sure you let the media now that you are surrounding us with the legal protection that we need. that is the peace we need. thank you so much.

>> hey. i'm out here in kentucky. this is our short name. kmtc, forward together, not one step back. we are mobilizing here in kentucky. on june 29, we are mobilizing people to get to the polls. we are excited about june 29. we will be in d.c., we will bring our voices. we need this movement. we need people to vote in kentucky. we need these suppressive laws to be overturned. we are looking forward to coming to d.c. i will keep it short and sweet, forward together not one step back. we are on our way.

>> i like that. as we come to close, you can have questions after we close this event. we do have the websites going live today. we have another flyer with our picture on it. we want to push that out. we have the various emblems and symbols of the anchor partners we will have. the united press conference with all of the states. we will come back with additional anchors as we build and build. we will be pushing out. last time we out over 400. we don't have a purest. we are uniting around what matters.

i to make sure we say not only that last piece book we stand against the genocide happening to poor people around this world. we have to lift up those things as well. the things that have happened with native americans. we cannot look past those things. at the front of all this is how it unites us. we cannot talk about it democracy and not deal with poverty and low income. what you have without that is an impoverished democracy. you do not establish justice, you are not providing for the common defense. when none of those things happen , you cannot insure domestic train quality. you ensure the opposite, that there will be domestic pain, disunity, hurt because of the pain that exists that does not have to be. one day liz and i were talking,

she said something i never forgot. she said this isn't radical, this is right. it is radical to folks that don't want to do it. they were more interested in the 400 families that make $9,700 an hour while they are resting. it is really just right. we are calling on this nation to do right. we are doing this before the projections, why? after this, we see the massive power all over the country. that's why we are doing it in june, not in august or september. this is very strategic.

we are finally going to be calling on the senate or the house, either one to bring up to bills. living wages and voting rights. we have note -- it makes no sense. bring it up after the 29th, pass it and force the house or senate to deal with it so people know where you stand by where you vote. what we want to hear, what people want to hear, if we get elected, this is what we are going to do, this is the change that will come in the first 50-100 days. you don't have to worry about whether we endorse you personally. if you talk to the people, poor, low-wage people, they will talk back to you at the ballot box. forward together -- >> never a step back.

would you come up here and stand around this room together? powerful day today. we will be meeting soon together. the tfam is in. >> this is amazing. this is beautiful. on behalf of the codirector, we covert -- codirected the movement arts with the poor people's campaign. we are organizing artists from over 30 states.

two years ago, we had 17 states represented. we could see the growth. reagan said in the civil rights movement that artists were out there putting their body, their lives against the system. it was the incomparable ms. nina simon that said in my opinion, the duty of the artist is to reflect the times. the artists of today are doing just that.

i want to remind you it was mavis staples who talked about how she came to sing the music. her father met dr. king, on the way out he said i really love what he is talking about. if you could preach it, we could sing it. the artists are prepared to live to with messages. we are ready to stand and put our voices and bodies against a system of oppression. on june 29, we will be calling on some of your artists and organizations as well to form this beautiful moral fusion choir. a beautiful diversity of full. we are ready, we are ready to sing. here's what we are going to do. we have one song you heard a snippet of where we said take back the microphone and tell the truth. consider this choir rehearsal. when you hear it on june 29, you will be ready. take back the mic. take back the mic.

take back the mic. and tell the truth. take back the mic. take back the mic. take back the mic. and tell the truth. and then we say take back the mic and tell the truth. there is power in our vote. it is up to me and you. we are not an insurrection. we are resurrection. a stone that has been rejected. by those who were elected. take back the mic. take back the mic. let me hear you. take back the mic. and tell the truth. take back the mic. take back the mic. and tell the truth. see you june 29. >> amen, god bless you all.