, ceo of the national association of latino elected and appointed officials, naleo educational fund. guest: thank you for having me. host: we will be back here tomorrow, 7:00 a.m., 4:00 a.m. pacific. now we take you to the poor people's campaign, the march for washington, the reverend barber is expected to speak at that meeting. that mark for washington planned later. we will see you back here tomorrow morning, though, on the "washington journal." [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2024] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> good morning. how is everybody? good. it is so good to see you. can we kind of saturate the room a little bit with some lyrics

and rhythm? can we do that? i know that there are cameras, and i know that this is a slightly different set up, but can we stand, and if you see there are cameras right behind you, maybe you can move over just a little, or maybe they just need to get you right in that line of sight. you are good. ok. there's is a song that we say in the campaign, everybody's got a right to live. everybody has got a right to live. so we say poverty no more, we want justice for the poor. everybody's got a right to live. can we all agree on that? we say poverty no more, we want justice for the poor. all right. ♪ everybody's got a right to live everybody's got a right to live we say poverty no more we want justice for the poor

everybody's got a right to live everybody's got a right to live ♪ >> ♪ everybody's got a right to live ♪ >> ♪ we say poverty no more we want justice for the poor everybody's got a right to live ♪ everybody's got a right to love. ♪ everybody's got a right to love everybody's got a right to love we say poverty no more we want justice for the poor everybody's got a right to love ♪

everybody! got a right to live. ♪ everybody's got a right to live everybody's got a right to live we say poverty no more we want justice for the poor we say poverty no more we want justice for the poor we say poverty no more we want justice for the poor everybody's got a right to live ♪ ♪ yes. yes. [applause] we welcome everyone. our prayer, all sorts of compassion and justice, we gather as one, drawing from the wisdom and sacred texts and the

religious right and righteous leaders against injustice. we stand united in our hearts and in our commitment to dismantle systems of oppression and uphold the sacred president of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone. sourced our compassionate love, we stand in solidarity against the forces of religious extremism that seek to divide and oppress, inspired by the words of fannie lou hamer, we declare that nobody is free until everybody is free. we march arm in arm with dr. martin luther king. we recognize that prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive. we pray not only with our lives but our actions, challenging systems of injustice and his dismantling systems of oppression. as dr. king said, injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. all of our rights, elizabeth

martin, advocates for human rights, unwavering commitment. we welcome each and everyone, we say amen and slalom. >> and we say as-salamu alaykum. as you take your chair, brother jackson, just put your chairs on the corner, because this is movement time. this is movement time, and when this is movement time, we can all be together. we are here this morning, and i'm here with our powerful co-chair, reverend dr. harris, and a bunch of people you will hear from in a moment, that we

call anchoring partners, not all of them, we will probably do be back in june, other anchors that are coming in to it we are here this morning to announce that on june 29 at 10:00, on pennsylvania and third, we are calling for the mass poor people's low-wage workers assembly and mall march on washington and to the polls, june 20 9, 2024. on march 2, we had simultaneous action in 35 states and the district of columbia, where for and low-wage persons, religious and moral leaders, and advocates joined at state capitals to launch a campaign to touch 15 billion poor and low-wage infrequent voters in this country. this is the most massive bloc

where transformation can happen. over 33 million infrequent voters, poor and low-wage voters, that can make a difference. in this season that we are income our goal is to center the desires and political policy agenda of four and louise persons -- poor and low-wage persons. too often, poor and low-wage people are not talk about today, even though in this country today, there are 135 million poor and low-wage persons. there is not a state now where poor and low-wage persons do not make up at least 30% of the electorate. in call battleground -- we really don't know what those are, because we have ever seen a poor battleground, but according

to a study commissioned by liz and myself done with assistance from columbia university and others, we now know in those states where the margin of victory was 3% or 5%, in texas, the number of poor and low-wage voters are between 35 and 40 plus percent of the electorate. we also know there are numbers like these, where liz is from, wisconsin, the last election was 25,000 votes, but the poor and low-wage voters i could have owed it over one million. in michigan, 10,000, but that could have a did not was over one million. in pennsylvania, over 1.4 million. in north carolina, the margin of victory was about 170,000, but the number of poor and low-wage

voters was just over a million, over 900,000. 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 have voted within it, but the margin of victory was only 270,000 votes. poor and low-wage voters are saying in this season that we come our votes, and demands and not really 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 that poor and low-wage folks don't vote is because nobody talks to them. we have debate after debate for the senate, for president, and the issues that affect or and low-wage persons do not come up. we had in 2020 a bill come up to pass a living wage, $15 an hour,

which would have listed 52 million poor and low-wage million americans out of poverty and low-wage, 43% of african-americans alone, and eight democrats and 49 republicans said no. 252 million americans. 72% of americans want a living wage because we have not raise the minimum wage since 2009. we must mobilize this power. we want the media to be clear when we talk about poverty, we are talking about all of the area, race, gender, geography, one-third of all poor people live in the south, nearly 60% of black people are poor and low-wage. the majority of people poor and low-wage are white.

the largest demographic of poverty is among women, not only white women should and our children now are 51 percent of children are poor and low-wage. these are serious matters, and we have serious power, so this is an offensive move. we are calling on people 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 this year, we need a movement that is not based on party but based on principle, based on where people stand on critical issues. so we are calling on folks now. this is nonviolent. we are the resurrection, not an insurrection to your that is why we are saying the last picture of d.c., tearing the capital up and trying to build it down.

we want to build a democracy up and list of all people, regardless of who they are, so that is 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 reverend liz 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, celinda lake, a tremendous projector, will also talk about what this means and how she has said that anybody running for office that does not speak to the issues that don't speak to poor people not only deny the constitution, not only violate scriptures that say nations will be judged by how we treat the least of these, but it makes no political sense. it is 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 appeared does not agree. some groups can't, for instance, speak on certain issues because it is not within their agenda, about what we've decided is we have two come together where we

can come together, and one thing affects the whole, because we learn something, the same people that vote against living wages vote against women rights. the same people to vote against women's rights vote against public education. the same people that voting is public education voting is health care for all. reverend dr. liz theoharis, will the same folks that vote against health care, theyreverend dr. liz theoharis, will so here is the agenda, and that we will have a promo, and then our cochair, reverend dr. liz theoharis, will come to the mic. poverty kills over 100 people a day. abolish unnecessary polity. poverty. abolish poverty as the fourth leading cause of death. if want these those, you need to talk about, if you get elected, how will it impact this agenda? number two, a living wage of at least $15,000 at our for inflation. 3, 4 and expanded voting rights, which includes things like d.c. statehood as well, because that is a violation of voting rights, but also includes stopping more

than 1000 voter suppression or bills that have been passed since the voting rights act was gutted in 2019. 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 and 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 laws, addressing militarism and the war economy. standing for peace, not war, calling for an immediate cease-fire in gaza that allows immediate military and relief and release of all hostages. peace and justice be pursued, and in addition, an end to genocide around the world.

because we care about poor people in this country, we have to care about what is happening to poor people around the world. and then, lastly, an end to hat e, division, and extremist political agenda. that is what poor and low-wage people will be listening for when candidates talk to them. doubt is what will mobilize them to get out and vote. that is what will wake the sleeping giant, and we intends to wake it all the way up. we will be leaving here today and mobilizing 7000 activists that will be training in 35 states plus the district of columbia, who are making a commitment the way the 7000, 45 a day, six days a week, over eight-week period actually means we can touch between 15 million and 16 million poor and low-wage in 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 with four or five families over the course of the next month or so for poor and low-wage. we are serious. we are serious. we have been building out for four years, for five years almost, since 2018, 2016, 2017, 2018. six years, right. but whatever the years have been, the bottom line is, we never built to be quiet. we never organized to sit on the sidelines. we understand, this is where you have to have voter participation going to have to have legislation, you have to have litigation, and you have to have nonviolent agitation, and are committed to all of it. can we see the promo at this time? and then we will bring up reverend dr. liz theoharis. >> [video clip] ♪

, covid happened, poor people were dying at a rate already of 800 people a day. before covid. if you would to a funeral, everything they can it would take you 600 years to attend all the funerals of the people who will die from the ravages of policies in violence, poverty, and low wages in america just one year. it would take you two years and 90 days to go to all of the funerals of the people that will die today, and often times violent. nobody talks about this political genocide, but we are determined today to remember their deaths and be a resurrection of voting power like never before. >> economic justice and 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 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 a right to live. poverty is not the fault of those who are impoverished, it is caused by those who make the policies. there are over 135 million poor and low-wage, low income people in this nation. >> the biggest bloc of potential voters by far is 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. >> poor and low-wage workers who are the most moral people in this country, because they go to work every day, believing even though going to work is hazardous to their health! >> i'm tired of working 70 to 80 hours a week and still not have money for these bills. i'm tired of being sick and not being able to go to the doctor, having to make a choice between paying rent or the light bill or food or clothing. >> you cannot claim to care about families in a culture of life and they do everything in your power to rob people of equal access of resources and to force them to live in poverty. >> leadership of both parties have waged war on poor people and low-wage workers. >> and this government has treated people experiencing poverty, including military families come with disdainful, delivered, malicious neglected >> the truth is that my son died from poverty to >> we refuse to

accept poverty as the fourth leading cause of death. >> before his leading cause of death in this, the richest country in the world. >> this is possible. >> we will register our vote. >> when we stand up and stand together, things change. >> there is the electorate that is and the electric that should be. >> 34 million eligible for a low-income voters did not vote in 2016. just 20% of those voters in swing states were mobilize around an agenda, they could change the outcome of the election good we are mobilizing the largest in history. >> people are dying, but we know we does not have to be this way, so we are calling on everyone to join us in the poor people's

campaign, a national call for moral revival. >> we are here at our power will be felt. we don't mean to be an inspiration, we are a resurrection that will be felt across this country, are you ready? ready! ready! we are! we are ready! ♪ rev. barber: the promo is being released as of today come in every nuke corner, social media and everywhere it can be sent, because we are inviting thousands and thousands to come and join us in this gathering. i want to ask k statement from

roz, she could be here this morning, but she has always been on point. she will read a statement, then reverend dr. liz theoharis. right after her come online, we have celinda lake, and they will bring up other persons after them. >> good morning. this is a statement from attorney ross palace, who serves as our senior advisor for the poor people's campaign, a national call for moral revival. this is a crisis moment for our nation and our democracy. a democracy must meet the need of all his people. in order for our nation not to

continue down this path of neglect of the needs of the many, extreme wealth for the few, and the denial of a sick rights and freedoms that diminish our democracy, we need for our political leaders to become leaders. and take seriously the needs and priorities of the millions of people struggling simply to survive. congress must lead by bringing together and bringing forward comprehensive legislation that meet the needs of all people, like the restoration of a child tax credit and to raise the minimum wage. the media must do more, by covering the experience is of people struggling to get by, not just with the words and lives of the wealthy and the powerful, the white house must treat poverty like a crisis that 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 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 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 ever-growing coalition representing the millions of powerful assembly and moral march on washington on june 29 and into the polls in november. and as we say in this movement, "forward together" -- >> and not one step back! >> thank you. naleo educational fund good morning -- celinda: good morning. we are gathered here today as 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 or at 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, "powerful poor people will really mean having the ability

that 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 no's, no to raising the minimum wage, no two expanding health care for all, no for the call to find war no more, no two programs of social and economic, and no to ending death by poverty. and so we are building power for yeses. yeses 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 for a 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 campaign, a national call for moral revival, about six years ago with the largest and most expensive wave of nonviolent civil disobedience possible, 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 weit is immoral and ig that we throw out more food than it takes to beat everybody. it is immoral and wrong that there are five abandoned homes for every unhoused person in this country and yet millions have no were to lay their heads. it is wrong there's not a county, city, town in were in the country where someone working full-time on the federal minimum wage can even afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment. and yet richest corporations are making billions and trillions on the backup low-wage workers. but as we know in this campaign, it 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. you're 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 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 treat and justice and peace and let us move forward together most of not one step back. >> a man amen. what we're talking about is not just hyperbole. the scriptures tell us the stones the builders rejected can come together and be the cornerstone of a brand-new reality. we know we have connected around systemic -- the five interlocking injustices, systemic racism, poverty and

ecological devastation, denial of health, the false distorted narrative of religious nationalism. that enables us to push. it is hard work but it is necessary work. it is not something we can just talk about. that is why before the end of his press conference, we will introduce you to more than 30 states where the real folk art mobilizing, gathering 200 people that will be trained in this kind of activism and mobilization. somebody said, why didn't you try to do a lesser number? because we believe in big angst. this is a big issue and we need a big mobilization. this is not a top-down but a bottom up movement. celinda, your online and help us understand the numbers. we want you to talk to us right now, talk to the nation.

celinda lake. >> thank you all because i think of all of the things we're doing , this is literally the most important piece strategically and the most morally right and. it is a great privilege to be on. i want to rid rate what others have said but -- reiterate what others have said to say this is literally the largest untapped bloc that can produce a seismic change in our system in every single state, in every strategy whether it is the blue wall, arizona -- whatever the strategy is in the swing states. literally in every single swing state as you outlined, 10% -- 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. over 700,000 that did not vote. wisconsin, 20000 and one million. north carolina, 74000 and 1.1 million. every single state, 10 times to 80 times 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. 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. we talked to poor people. don't go out i just vote for these politicians, vote yourself a raise. that is motivating coming from local voices. this is politically game changing. it is not just at the margins, it is at the core of a seismic change that could lead things differently and politically. it will affect 2024. if we don't get involved, we will look back at what we could have made or the stupid strategic decision to not get involved. thank you, reverend, for all you do and everyone on this call. >> thank you. she is looking at those numbers hard like we do. our movement is both oratorical and also studious.

we believe in connecting the two together. if you are out there, june 29 10:00 a.m. if you are about love, justice, establishing justice, nonviolence, lifting up everybody, they join us. liz said something i want to reiterate, people come. come and hear. tell your folks to come out. it is high time we hear from the impacted folk. that is what this campaign has always been about. what we want to do is last year, the last election, we organized 400 people. we touched 2.7 million voters.

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. this is not just hyperbole. this is serious, studied out agenda and activism. we want elaine hurley from west virginia. is that right? and will caroll for 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. they represent thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of people across this country. give them a big hand. [applause] >> good to see you. come appear. >> good morning. it is our great honor and privilege to be here. more than that, i am here for 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 313,000 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 video and he said working is hazardous to his health. i had to make the sacrificial decision to return to the workforce just so i can try to make 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 the 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's cap and down or pay the bills. i inevitably chose to buy his cap and gown. policy makers, you are 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 worried 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 from my brothers and sisters in the struggle that i am here today. i am here 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. my name is william carol and i am from massachusetts. where 2.3 million massachusetts are poor and low income, accounting for 34% of the state's population and 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 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 an assistant. despite my hard work as a personal care attendant, or pca, a father of five beautiful daughters, has been actually difficult over the years. covid has made it even more difficult and continued ray's possibles -- prices make it near possible to survive and thrive in 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 accrual asked by governor haley 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 the sake of saving a few dollars. that is just sad. some massachusetts lawmakers come 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 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 june 29 and to the polls in the upcoming election and beyond. thank you. [applause] >> this is the power. all over the country, 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 resurrection not an insurrection. nasa poor peoples, low-wage workers assembly and moral 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. brothers and sisters, here is the other piece you should hear. most of these voters are already registered. the issue is they have said 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. 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. 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 this from the beginning, been arrested multiple times, reverend terry come the

president of the disciples of christ. following her, we will then have bishop mckenzie who has said the entire council of churches is going to be mobilizing both on the 29th and in this ever to mobilize voters and then we're going to have roz. she told me to tell you hello. sugar terry treasure representing the president of the entire afl-cio. -- secretary-treasurer representing the president of the entire afl-cio. then representative from mary kay henry with seiu. how are you doing? it has been a long time. 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 they stuck with dr. king, for instance, when others did not. you should also note that today is -- 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 state but it took us 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 represent over

united states and canada, nearly i've hundred thousand prisoners -- 500,000 parishioners. i want for others what i want for myself, a living wage 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. i argue if we claim to be a

moral and just society providing for justice and the common welfare, we must ensure that those who do the work to build societal wealth share in societal wealth. not just the 1%. the income of just one of these people among the 1% could shift the very nature of our country and our economy if that amount were used to strike down barriers to economic, social and equity. we disrespect the humanity of over tens of millions of poor and low income workers and voters way and we say they cannot share in the fruits of their own labor, when we say it is ok for them not to be able to thrive. america, we have beautiful documents and words we say. poor and knowing come workers do not realize and recognize these ideals and their reality. if we are truly the nation that we say we are, we must march and

vote so elected officials will be demanded to enact policies that ensure all have enough in our society. let us be the nation that we say we are. there is enough and we must show up in numbers to march and to vote because there is enough. >> there is enough. [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 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. countless children go to bed hungry. parents work multiple jobs just to put food on the table. making impossible choices between paying bills and seeking medical care. these are real people with real lives who are suffering due to the systemic inequalities that plague our country. our legislators, our political leaders 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 toward solutions that per note -- promote economic justice and wealth for all american citizens. we call on our elected

officials to champion policies that uplift and support those who are marginalized and disenfranchised. we will not go silently into the night. we are going to stand together, raise our voices, and demand change. the time is now. the time is now for action. we cannot afford to have nor the pleas of the oppressed. let's commit ourselves to creating a future where poverty is eradicated and where every person is able to live with dignity and respect, were justice and equality prevail for all of us. yes, there is enough. >> there is enough. [applause] i am glad the bishop said eradicate. we need to talk abolishing, eradication. not just treating it a little bit. let's welcome our dear friend come secretary-treasurer for afl-cio, fred redman.

thank you so much for being here. >> thank you. i am fred redman, secretary-treasurer of the afl-cio step 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. our partners in the faith and civil rights and social justice movements come to mobilize working people and use our collective voice to demand an end to economic injustice in the scorch of poverty. the american labor movement, we five are all working people and their families. we fight injustice in our communities and we are committed to vanquishing oppression and

all of its forms. there is no greater form of oppression tamerlan 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. 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 he 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 create a more compassionate nation. together we will do just that. forward together, not one step

back! >> thank you. how are you going to do 17 million? not by ourselves, but with partner. we all get together, what a day of justice. 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. it is wonderful to be in solidarity with so many of you partners and this incredibly important cause. seiu represents over two lien health care workers and we -- 2 million health-care workers. we believe where all people respected and all workers are valued, where all families and communities thrive and where we leave a more better and equitable world for generations to come. i want everyone to know seiu is ready to mobilize on june 29.

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, economy, future. but we also know that it takes all of us in this room to be together come 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.

service and care workers will be demanding the candidates stand up to corporations fighting back against attacks on our democracy and demanding all jobs be good jobs that pay families sustainable wages. our votes, our demands for better future, we won't be distracted or divided. we are united and look forward to continuing to work with all of you and to just make sure we mobilize, organize, and we win. thank you so much. [applause] >> forward together. >> not one step back! >> that was mary kay. mary kay was the one that said "our votes are not support but

demands." so the folk that what these demands, what you need to do is let us here in your tv and radio ads and your speeches, call the name of poor and low wage boat and identify not what you've done but what you will do if you get into office or are in the majority. we have about 10 minutes on c-span but we are going to continue to live string. what i'm going to do is make a roll call so everybody can be seen and heard on c-span 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. i want folks to know who you are. reverend jimmy hawkins. where you at? [applause] ussw from down south. there you are. all right. common cause, then with us from

the beginning. virginia, that is our sister. reverend mark thompson. ain't nobody like that jewish counsel of women. she has been right there. muslim islamic faith imam sharif online. you -- unitarians. here he is. this brother has been everywhere with us. we know forward justice. i don't know if they are in the house were online. forward justice. expanding our legal team to make sure we do it right. ame church. kentucky for commonwealth -- kentuckians for the commonwealth online.

dr. chris becker i.s. -- dr. chris zacharias. where is clinton and sig and who else? danielle. i'm getting old now. my mind sometimes. that is all of us. lord have mercy, that is all of us. we are thankful to everybody. we will also talk about how artists are coming from across the country. stand up. we are bringing everybody in. nobody out. alabama! turn onlineup. if you are online, say forward together. >> forward together, alabama is in the house. >> california? >> california in the house.

>> are you mobilizing? >> yes, we are. >> delaware? >> delaware in the house and we are mobilizing. >> georgia? >> we are mobilizing, organizing, and educating. >> illinois? indiana? i know they up there because i have a check here. >> indiana in the house. >> kentucky? maine? >> we are mobilizing. >> maine is ready to go, forward together. >> maryland? >> maryland is mobilizing. >> massachusetts? >> massachusetts is in the house and ready to mobilize. >> nebraska? >> we are ready to mobilize.

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

>> we are in the house i mobilizing. >> anybody i did not call? >> rhode island. >> kansas in the house and mobilizing. >> 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 not only will people becoming on, but if they are well away, they will be watch gathering. they will afterwards do

mobilizing to vote. we are serious about this. it is time to go offensive. time to mobilize and make it felt. we want to recognize everybody. now we want to call on those of you who are in the house to, say why you are mobilizing. we know the livestream may go off c-span but we will stay on the other livestream. we want to bring up ussw. we want to bring up 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. 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 the service workers and i'm a catering cook. 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 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 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 we can't achieve. the only way we win is to organize. forward together. >> never back. >> reverend hawkins, will you come? we are going to do some unity here. >> i've come on behalf of the presbyterian church to say we stand with the poor people's campaign as it organizes poor and low income people and we 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 conference of wages, for

low-wage workers who deserve to make enough money to feed their children, to provide warm clothing and that winter and cool clothing in the summer. universal health care for all people. we stand with the poor people's campaign and 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. 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 not only moral and just come it is not just about getting voters out to the polls. it is about keeping our feet on the facts 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. 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 the people who have spoken here today and been vulnerable and shared their stories. it is hard. i was a teenage mom. i needed help to get by. but for the grace of god and did government programs -- 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. 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 now -- 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 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 talking about this mobilizing 200 people and touching 15 million ends in november. 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 individual and personality. am i right? we want to ask to come together, we have our dear sister who is with the jewish women national council of jewish women, sheila, and then we want to ask imam sharif who is on the screen i believe. we want to ask mark thompson.

would you come at this time? come and stand with sheila, our dear sister. just had a good conversation with rick jacobs and others. in then uaa rep. let's stand together. we bring everybody together. >> happy passover. as for gather during this holy time for jews, we reflect on the story for jewish people. we remember moses plea to pharaoh, let my people go. true liberation, however, is not achieved by solitary leaders that 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. we reject the erosion of women's rights and human dignity will stop we commit to bending the moral arc of the universe for 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. 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 crisis, a crisis that is marked by the grotesque disparity between billionaire wealth and

the prevalence of poverty. but let me be clear, we do not lack resources. we do not lack solutions. what we lack is political will. it is time for a third reconstruction, a bold vision that builds upon the transformative legacies of our past. we call upon our elected officials. we heed the voices of the people to use their power to to stand with us in this fight for justice and equality. we could no longer allow those in power to speak longer than those in need. it is time to take back the microphone and get loud. forward together and not one step back. >> you have the ame together.

the chair of our d.c. poor people. every tradition tells us health and vitality of a society is judged on how it cares for people impacted by systems of inequality and treats the most vulnerable of us. the prophet isaiah, make justice your aim. the workmen's plea, defend the widow. dr. martin luther king jr. reminded us of the urgency of now which demands a democracy in which workers make a living wage. even low income residents make up 39 point 6% of the state population. to make the -- meet basic needs, increasing minimum wage in d.c. and individual west work 83 hours per week to make ends 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 today with dr. lucille harris, all of our anchored partners and all of you, i'm pleased and proud to stand ready, ready for resurrection, not an insurrection. june 29, 2024 in washington dc. i'm happy today to announce a new initiative of the powers of the breach. a new initiative in the season of holy seasons, passover, ramadan recently come. i'm pleased to announce a new 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 distracted by things that distract us. teaching on the prophetic issues of the day. secondly we have 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 film. we are using the screenings to organize and mobilize for june 29. we invite you to sign up and join us. i'm happy to announce anna lectionary resource is being made available. we hope this resource will be used by all of our communions. it is a powerful resource leading up to june 29. the email is keep faith @breachparrish.org. write us, respond to us, we are ready for june 29. we are ready for ready for a resurrection. >> former justice.

phew, 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 -- 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. 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. the fellowship where did she go? >> 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. dr. 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. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2024] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> the house returns later today at noon eastern. lawmakers will consider several bills on veterans benefits, protection and protecting children safety online.

the senate returns tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. eastern. senators will consider the nomination to serve on the u.s. district court for northern illinois. she would be the 150th district court judge approved by the senate to a lifetime appointment during the biden administration. watch live coverage of the house. a reminder, you could watch all of your congressional coverage on our re-video app or online at c-span.org. c-span is your unfiltered view of government. funded by these television companies and more including charter communications. >> charter is proud to be recognized as one of the best internet providers. we are just getting started. 100,000 miles of new infrastructure to reach those who need it most. >> charter communications supports c-span as a public