Poverty

Mock demolition staged at Mayor Bowser's home against DC General demolition near shelter (and kids)

On the 30th of July, supporters of homeless familes living in the DC General shelter showed up in front of the Mayor's home to protest plans to demolish parts of the building before homeless families have moved out of other parts. Demolition can expose children living there to lead dust and other toxins. Apparently the Mayor wants to offer the site to Amazon for their HQ2 project as quickly as possible.

Video from SURG DC's and Emma Cleveland's Twitter clips

Mock demoliton of DC General staged in front of Mayor Bowser's home(Photo by SURJ-DC)

Senate Bill Offers Debt Relief for Puerto Rico

New Senate legislation offers additional options for Puerto Rico to cut its debt. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) introduced the US Territorial Relief Act. If Congress passes the act, US Territories that experience natural disasters could qualify for debt relief.

Senate Passes Puerto Rico Nutritional Assistance in Farm Bill: Puerto Rico Housing Assistance Fails in Senate

The US Senate voted for Puerto Rico disaster relief in the form of food assistance with the passage of the "Farm Bill." The Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, included Senators Marco Rubio and Kirsten Gillibrand's amendment to fund Puerto Rico's Nutritional Assistance Program.

Capitol Police block Poor Peoples's March from US Capitol grounds

On the 23ed of June, the Poor People's Campaign held a rally and march on the US Capitol at the endpoint of their initial 40 days of action. The US Capitol Police blocked the march from approaching the Capitol West Lawn, using police lines and protest pen fence to divert marchers. This was not expected by many marchers and could have created a dangerous crowd crush scenario.

Video of the march and the police lines/pens that hemmed it in 2min 42 sec

The lead of the march between a pair of pen fences after flanking the intial police line

Poor People's Campaign Direct Action at HHS

A contingent of activists from the Poor People's Campaign marched to and delivered testimony at the Department of Health and Human Services, highlighting the plight of immigrant families separated by the Trump administration, health care and housing for all and other issues faced by poor people in this country.

Video Stream

 

Part 2

Poor People's Campaign launches coordinated blockades at multiple targets

On the 18th of June, the Poor People's Campaign abandoned Capitol Hill protests. Instead, they marched from a big tent on the Mall and broke into three sections. The march sections went to EPA, HUD, and HHS. The EPA and HUD got blockades, while HHS has barricaded protesters out. A "People's HHS" was erected at that location. In all cases cops declined to make arrests, so protesters escalated to street blockades and a final blockade at the Dept of Injustice.

Video including all of the blockades and targets (5min 33 sec)

The Poor People's Campaign blockade at the EPA

Live Video Stream of Arrests at the US Supreme Court

Poor People's Campaign activists taking direct action to protest thge Supreme Court's partisan decision enabling the continuing disenfranchisement of US voters.

Video Link

Police evict "Resurrection City II" from Dupont Circle

On the 11th of June, police (presumably US Park Police) evicted the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign from their "Resurrection City II" encampment in Dupont Circle.Belongings were stolen by police but nobody was arrested. Cops cited "noise complaints" presumably from Dupont area yuppies as their excuse The possiblity also exists this is retaliation for an earlier civil disobedience at HUD-or just to "clean up" Dupont in case Capitols fans went there.

Lot of MPD backing up US Park Police at the eviction of Resurrection City II (Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign photo)

Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign pitches camp in Dupont Circle

On the 9th of June, as Capital Pride crowds began to build, the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign pitched camp in Dupont Circle. They had just arrived in DC, ending their march from Kensington, Philadelphia. They marched from the poorest neighborhood in Philly to one of the richest in DC and pitched camp in the circle.

Youtube video:Bruce Wright from the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign speaks at Dupont during Pride(Vision Planet Media, 5:07)

The Poor People's Campaign in Dupont Circle during Pride

Rev Hagler arrested with Poor People's Campaign in US Capitol Rotunda

The 5th of June marked the 4th week of the Poor People's Campaign of civil disobedience at the US Capitol and at statehouses across the continent. In this week's protest, Reverend Hagler was one of many protesters arrested inside the US Capitol rotunda

Video including scenes of Rev Hagler at the protest inside the US Capitol Rotunda

Rev Hagler taking a lead role as activists march to the Capitol visitor center

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