Season of Nonviolent Moral Direct Action to Save Our Democracy July 12 - August 8, 2021 

 Open Letter 

Dear Senator Manchin,

I am joining the West Virginia Poor People’s Campaign along with partners and moral leaders from around the state, West Virginians ‘from the hood to the holler’ who are gathering to demand you stop hiding behind the Coward’s Filibuster and stand up for our democracy by supporting all provisions of the For the People Act, fully restoring the 1965 Voting Rights Act and passing a $15/hr federal minimum wage.

This is an urgent issue of principle, not simply partisanship: it’s time to end the filibuster now. States are passing voter suppression laws at breakneck speed across the nation. And because of disingenuous commitment to the filibuster, you are letting those laws go into effect unchallenged. Sen. Manchin, your name is on each and every voter suppression law in the 18 states that have passed them so far this year, and in the 49 states where they’ve been introduced. It is unconscionable that you will pass budgets and approve Supreme Court justices with a simple majority, but you let our democracy crumble by refusing to do the same with living wages and voting rights.

Sen. Manchin, you were a co-sponsor of the For the People Act when it didn’t have a chance of making it to the Senate floor in the last Congress. You have claimed your love and respect for John Lewis, who wrote the For the People Act. Where is that love and respect for the people for whom Rep. Lewis wrote the Act? As a person of faith, look only to the prophet Isaiah in chapter 10, “Woe unto those who legislate evil and rob the poor of their rights."

This filibuster that doesn’t even require you to defend on the floor and is weaponized without any action is a coward’s filibuster. The history of the filibuster is the history of a non-constitutional tradition being used to block Constitutional rights. It was used to block anti-slavery efforts, civil rights, women’s suffrage, consumer protections and more. The side of the filibuster is the wrong side of history. And by using it today you are engaging in interposition and nullification in the 21st Century.

Failure to pass these provisions has put the infrastructure of democracy and the lives of tens of millions of low-income workers at risk. Senator Manchin, you are hiding behind the cowardly filibuster to appease the forces of the US Chamber of Commerce rather than the people of West Virginia, where 40% of our people are poor or low-income. You have made a fortune off the coal industry here in West Virginia, along with the rest of the top 1% in the state. From 1979 to 2012, income for the top 1% grew by 61%, while income for the bottom 99% actually fell 0.4%. Why are you continuing to defend voter suppression and poverty wage policies that concentrate power and money in the hands of the few? Sen. Manchin, it’s time that you stop kowtowing to the wealthy elite and protecting your own pockets and the status quo under the disguise of “bi-partisianship”. It’s time to take your stand on the right side of history. On the Constitutional side of history and to do what’s right by his state and our nation.

One hundred years ago, the largest multi-racial labor uprising in the history of the nation took place in the mountains of West Virginia. In honor of the thousands who have lost their lives fighting for voting rights, labor rights and living wages…in honor of our fallen hero John Lewis…in honor of the millions of low-wage workers who cannot survive on $7.25 or $8.75, now is your moment to stand with poor and low-wealth West Virginians, now is the time stand on the right side of history. This is your moment. The people are ready to support you in supporting these demands:

  1. End the Coward’s Filibuster
  2. Pass all provisions of the bill John Lewis wrote: The For the People Act
  3. Fully restore and expand protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act
  4. Raise the federal minimum wage to $15/hr now

 Read more 

 Sign the Letter 
Many people marching in protest
May 20th, 2021
11:30PM / 4:30PM PT
#PoorPeoplesCampaign & Members of Congress Announce Third Reconstruction Resolution
Play
Many people marching in protest
May 24th, 2021
7:30PM / 12:30PM PT
Moral Monday: Launching a Third Reconstruction
Play
Many people marching in protest
June 7th, 2021
7:00PM / 12:00PM PT
Moral Monday: Building a Third Reconstruction from the States Up
Play
Many people marching in protest
June 21st, 2021
9:30PM / 2:30PM PT
Moral Monday: National Poor People’s Assembly
Play
Many people marching in protest
June 23rd, 2021
5:00PM / 10:00AM PT
Moral March On Manchin & McConnell
Play
Many people marching in protest
July 12th, 2021
5:00PM / 10:00AM PT
Moral Monday: Launching a Season of Nonviolent Moral Direct Action
Play
Many people marching in protest
July 26th, 2021
3:55PM / 8:55AM PT
Arizona Moral Monday Rally March and Non Violent Sit-In
Play
Many people marching in protest
July 26th, 2021
11:55PM / 4:55PM PT
Taking it to the States! Moral Mondays at Senate Offices Across the Nation
Play
Many people marching in protest
July 27th, 2021
10:15PM / 3:15PM PT
Press Conference, Mass Meeting & Service to Launch Georgetown-to-Austin March for Democracy
Play
Many people marching in protest
July 29th, 2021
11:00AM / 4:00AM PT
Day Two: We Are The Moral Resurrection
Play
Many people marching in protest
July 30th, 2021
11:00AM / 4:00AM PT
Day Three: We Are The Moral Resurrection
Play
Many people marching in protest
July 30th, 2021
6:45PM / 11:45AM PT
News conference to announce special guest who will join Moral March for Democracy rally
Play
Many people marching in protest
July 31st, 2021
11:00AM / 4:00AM PT
Day Four: We Are The Moral Resurrection
Play
Many people marching in protest
August 1st, 2021
10:00PM / 3:00PM PT
Service for Justice and Healing
Play
Many people marching in protest
August 2nd, 2021
2:45PM / 7:45AM PT
Moral March on Washington to Save Our Democracy
Play
Many people marching in protest
August 12th, 2021
1:30PM / 6:30AM PT
Announcing a Moral Challenge on Voter Suppression
Play
Many people marching in protest
August 12th, 2021
6:15PM / 11:15AM PT
Announcing a Moral Challenge on Voter Suppression
Play
Many people marching in protest
August 26th, 2021
6:15PM / 11:15AM PT
Mass Moral Motorcade on Manchin
Play
Many people marching in protest
October 11th, 2021
10:22PM / 3:22PM PT
Land Back & the Third Reconstruction
Play
Many people marching in protest
October 12th, 2021
12:24PM / 5:24AM PT
Essential, Low-wage Workers Come to DC to Put Face on Build Back Better Plan
Play
Many people marching in protest
October 18th, 2021
11:20PM / 4:20PM PT
It’s Time For A Third Reconstruction: A National Town Hall
Play
Many people marching in protest
October 22nd, 2021
3:04PM / 8:04AM PT
Virtual Press Conference: Manchin's Cuts to the Build Back
Play
Many people marching in protest
October 22nd, 2021
8:10PM / 1:10PM PT
Apache Stronghold Listening Session
Play
Many people marching in protest
October 24th, 2021
8:01PM / 1:01PM PT
Mass Moral Revival & Rally at West Virginia State Capitol
Play
Many people marching in protest
October 27th, 2021
1:00PM / 6:00AM PT
Moral Witness Wednesday: Economic Investment for the People, Not Corporations & the Greedy
Play
Many people marching in protest
November 8th, 2021
7:00PM / 11:00AM PT
Community Forum: Building Back Better from the Bottom Up!
Play

Many people marching in protest
November 8th, 2021
7:00PM / 11:00AM PT
Community Forum: Building Back Better from the Bottom Up!
Play

 A Season of Nonviolent Moral Direct Action 

 July 12 

 Launch from DC & Mass Moral Monday Call-In Day 

A massive national call-in to every US Senator combined with a live press conference from Washington DC to launch the season of action.

 July 17 

 Good Trouble Vigil for Democracy 

Please join our partners as we mark the one-year anniversary of the passing of John Lewis with Good Trouble Vigil for Democracy on July 17th.

 July 19 

 A Women’s Moral Monday March on Washington 

On the anniversary of the Women’s Convention at Seneca Falls, nonviolent moral direct action in DC led by women from all over the country. 11:00am ET outside the US Supreme Court and online right here at action.poorpeoplescampaign.org.

 July 26 

 Moral Monday Actions in States Across the Nation 

Targeting all Senators regardless of party, people in at least 45 states will engage in nonviolent moral direct action.

 July 28-31 

 We Are the Moral Resurrection! Georgetown-to-Austin, Texas March for Democracy 

Daily March beginning at 7am CT

 July 31 

 We Are the Moral Resurrection! Georgetown-to-Austin, Texas March for Democracy 

Mass Rally at the Texas State Capitol at 10am CT

 August 2 

 Moral Monday Action in DC - Faith Leaders + Poor & Low-Wage Workers 

Nonviolent moral direct action focused on the US Senate and led by a mass number of clergy and religious leaders with poor and low-wage workers.

 August 26 

 Mass Moral Motorcade on Manchin 

West Virginians ‘from the hood to the holler’ are gathering to demand Senator Manchin have the moral courage to end the coward’s filibuster, pass all provisions of the For the People Act, fully restore the 1965 Voting Rights Act and pass $15/hr federal minimum wage.

 Mondays 

 A Season of Prayer and Protest to Save Our Democracy 

Tune-in to the livestream on Monday, August 2nd at 10:45amET. Join us August 2nd for our culminating prayer call in this Season of Action to Save Our Democracy. Join us as we pray and ground ourselves before the actions of the day.

 Help Spread the Word 

 Use our sample posts, graphics, and other resources below to help amplify the Third Reconstruction Resolution with your networks! 

 Go to the Toolkit Now 

 Take a selfie - Dreams for Democracy 

Share your prayers and dreams for our democracy & economic justice with a selfie here. We are in a battle for the soul & body of our democracy!

Upload your selfie

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 In the News 

 To the editor: End poverty 

 Poor People's Campaign and House Progressives Call for a 'Third Reconstruction' 

 Poor People’s Campaign demands ‘Third Reconstruction’; will march on Washington in 2022 

 Our Partners 

  • 350.org
  • ACT (Anti-racists Coming Together)
  • ADAPT of Texas/PACT
  • About Face: Veterans Against the War - South-Central Texas
  • Action Center on Race and the Economy (ACRE)
  • Advocates for Youth
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  • American Baptist Seminary of the West
  • American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
  • American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
  • Auburn Theological Seminary
  • Austin Airwaves
  • Bend the Arc
  • Beta Psi Omega Chapter
  • Beyond Extreme Energy
  • Beyond the Bomb
  • Black Voters Matter
  • Black Women's Agenda
  • Border Network for Human Rights
  • Border Network for Human Rights/Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance
  • Bread for the World
  • Buddhist Action Center
  • Buddhist Peace Pagoda
  • CODE PINK
  • Catholic Peace Fellowship
  • Center and Library for the Bible and Social Justice
  • Center for Action and Contemplation
  • Center for Earth Ethics
  • Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)
  • Center for International Policy
  • Center for Popular Democracy
  • Center for Progressive Renewal / Convergence
  • Children's Defense Fund
  • Christian Church, Disciples of Christ
  • Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME)
  • Christian Peacemaker Teams
  • Christian Theological Seminary
  • Christians for Social Action
  • Clean Elections Texas
  • Climate Crisis Policy Group
  • Climate Reality
  • Co-Coordinator - InterReligious Task Force on Central America and Colombia
  • Co-Founder - Interfaith Moral Action on Climate
  • Coalition Against Pipelines
  • Coalition on Human Needs
  • Coalition on Human Needs
  • Common Cause Texas
  • Common Defense
  • Communications Workers of America (CWA)
  • Community Renewal Society
  • Community of Faith Houston
  • Congressional Progressive Caucus Center
  • Cost of War Project
  • Debt Collective
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  • Demcratic Socialists of America (DSA)
  • Disciples Center for Public Witness and Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN)
  • Disciples Public Presence
  • Dream Defenders
  • Drew Divinity School
  • Duke Divnity School
  • ELCA World Hunger & Bread for the World
  • Earth Day Network
  • Economic Policy Institute
  • Economic Security Project
  • Ecumenical Poverty Initiative
  • Elder Activists
  • Episcopal Church
  • Episcopal Peace Fellowship
  • Evangelicals for Social Action
  • Executive Director - Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition
  • Executive Director - Green Faith
  • Executive Director - Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity
  • Faith Forward Dallas
  • Faith Matters Network
  • Faith in Public Life
  • Fight for the Future
  • First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin
  • Food and Water Watch
  • Foreign Policy for America
  • Forward Justice
  • Founder and President - Freedom Road
  • Founder and Senior Rabbi - IKAR
  • Franciscan Action Network (FAN)
  • Friends Committee for National Legislation
  • Friendship-West Baptist Church (Dallas)
  • Future Coalition
  • General Secretary - Friends Committee on National Legislation
  • Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality
  • Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality
  • Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church
  • Greenpeace USA
  • Guilford College
  • HealthGap Global Access Project
  • Hip Hop Caucus
  • Homes Guarantee Campaign
  • Income Movement
  • Indivisible Austin
  • Indivisible TX Lege
  • Insitute for Policy Studies
  • Institute for Race and Political Economy, The New School
  • Interfaith Action of Central Texas
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  • Islamic Circle of North America
  • Jewish Roundtable
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  • Jolt
  • Justice is Global
  • Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor
  • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
  • LUPE- La Union Del Pueblo Entero
  • Liberation in a Generation
  • Live Oak Unitarian Universalist (Cedar Park, TX)
  • Lower Drug Prices Now
  • MOVE Texas
  • March On
  • Massachusetts Peace Action
  • Meadville Lombard Theological School
  • Memphis Center for Urban and Theological Studies (MCUTS)
  • Methodist Federation for Social Action
  • Micah Challenge USA
  • Michigan Welfare Rights Organization
  • Middle Collegiate
  • MoveOn
  • Movement for a People's Party
  • Movement in Faith
  • Muslim Advocates
  • Muslim Advocates
  • Muslim Peace Fellowship
  • Muslim Public Affairs Council
  • NC Interfaith Power & Light
  • NETWORK
  • National Black Justice Coalition
  • National CARES Mentoring Movement
  • National Center for Lesbian Rights
  • National Children's Campaign
  • National Council of Churches
  • National Council of Jewish Women
  • National Employment Law Project
  • National LBGTQ Taskforce
  • National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.
  • National Priorities Project
  • National Union of the Homeless
  • National Welfare Rights Union
  • National Women's Law Center
  • Nemeton of the Ways
  • Network of Spiritual Progressives
  • Next Generation Action Network (NGAN)
  • Nonviolent Austin
  • North American Interfaith Network
  • Not My Generation
  • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
  • On Earth Peace
  • One America Movement
  • One Fair Wage
  • Order of Lutheran Franciscans
  • Organizing Director - Green Faith
  • Our Vote Texas
  • PFLAG
  • Pacific School of Religion
  • Parity
  • Pax Christi San Antonio
  • Pax Christi USA
  • Peace and Justice Studies Association and National Boricua Human Rights Network
  • Peace and Social Concerns Committee of the Friends Meeting of Austin
  • Phi Beta Sigma Theta Fraternity, Inc.
  • Phillips Theological Seminary
  • Physicians for a National Health Program
  • Pittsburgh Food Policy Council
  • Planned Parenthood Texas Votes
  • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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  • Progress Texas
  • Progressive Doctors
  • Progressive National Baptist Convention
  • Proyecto Santiago, St. James' Episcopal Chruch (Austin)
  • Public Citizen
  • Put People First PA!
  • Rabbinic & Executive Assistant - IKAR
  • Rabbinical Assembly
  • Rainbow-PUSH
  • Raise Up NC
  • Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
  • Red Letter Christians
  • Religions for Peace USA
  • Religious Institute
  • Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church (Houston)
  • Revolutionary Love Project
  • Rise St. James
  • Round Rock Black Parents Association
  • Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus
  • Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference
  • Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc.
  • San Carlos Apache / Apache Stronghold
  • San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Georgetown
  • Seattle Pacific Seminary
  • Seeding Sovereignty
  • Senior National Field Organizer - Interfaith Worker Justice
  • Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
  • Shalom Center
  • Shaw University Divinity School
  • Showing Up for Racial Justice
  • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
  • Sisters of Mercy Justice Team
  • Sojourners
  • St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Austin
  • St. James' Episcopal Church, Austin
  • St. Luke “Community” UMC-Dallas - Political Social Action Ministry
  • St. Paul AME Church, Round Rock
  • St. Paul United Methodist Church, Georgetown
  • Student Global AIDS Campaign
  • Sunrise Movement
  • Sweet Home Baptist Church of Round Rock
  • T'ruah
  • Tax March
  • Temple Beth Shalom, Austin
  • Texans Against Gerrymandering
  • Texas AFL-CIO
  • Texas Drought Project
  • Texas Freedom Network
  • The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
  • The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
  • The American Postal Workers Union (APWU)
  • The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA)
  • The Congregational Church of Austin
  • The Deaconess Community of the ELCA
  • The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries
  • The Fellowship of Reconciliation USA (FOR-USA)
  • The Fight for $15
  • The International Network for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net)
  • The Links, Incorporated
  • The National Education Association (NEA)
  • The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)
  • The United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
  • Tikkun
  • Transform Network
  • Transformative Justice Coalition
  • U.S. Human Rights Network
  • U.S. Youth Climate Strike Coalition
  • UCC Climate Justice Council
  • UNITE HERE!
  • US Grail
  • UU Ministers Association
  • Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements, and Population Health Equity
  • UndocuBlack Network
  • Union Theological Seminary
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  • Unitarian Universalist Association
  • Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice
  • Unite Here Local 23
  • United Church of Christ
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  • United for Peace and Justice
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  • Volunteers of America
  • Vote Common Good
  • Vote Pro Choice
  • Waking Giants
  • War Resisters League
  • Washington National Cathedral
  • Wesley Chapel AME Church, Georgetown
  • Western Regional Advocacy Project
  • Wheeler Baptist Church, Houston
  • Why Hunger
  • Wilco Patriots
  • Win Without War
  • Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
  • Workers Defense Project
  • World Beyond War
  • World Student Christian Federation
  • YWCA Greater Austin
  • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.