Michigan Poverty Is A Moral Issue For Poor People’s Campaign

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By Doug Cunningham

The Poor People’s Campaign is a national call for a moral revival in America that organizers hope will lead to an end to poverty and systemic racism. Two activists from the campaign  – Rev. Bill Wylie-Kellerman and Tommy Tackett – blocked Michigan Department of Health and Human Services doors in Lansing during a May water shutoff protest and are serving 12 days in jail right now.

Poor People’s Campaign organizer Carlos Santacruz says this is an effort to revive Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s original Poor People’s Campaign. Santacruz says huge immoral wealth inequality combined with systemic racism is creating widespread suffering here  in Michigan and across America.

“We felt that it was a need to address the moral issues that are country is facing, but also the economic plight that people are experiencing on a daily basis. Across the state people are experiencing high levels of poverty. We did a small study  of the state and we found that approximately  56% of the state is below or right just above the poverty line.”

The Poor People’s Campaign says that 44% of Michigan children live in poverty, tens of thousands live without water in their homes, and Michigan’s emergency management has gutted our democratic process directly impacting 51% of black residents while illegal raids and intimidation, they say, target immigrant communities.

Santacruz says the injustices of poverty and racism are wrong and demand a moral response.

“This is about saving the souls of each other and saving the nation. We are in a critical moment in time where we just need to stay focused, stay united and understand that we have the ability and the willingness to be able to change this nation.”

The Poor People’s Campaign is asserting that America has the resources to end poverty. What’s lacking so far is the moral will to make it happen.