On Monday, I joined the Poor People’s Campaign at the US Capitol, where we demanded passage of the Build Back Better Act and the protection of voting rights. The hundreds gathered heard testimony from people all over who are low-income, low-wealth, or one crisis away from poverty. Over 70 of us were arrested to demonstrate how necessary and urgent this legislation is.

We need Build Back Better because:

• The Child Tax Credit will bring much-needed relief to families, especially the poorest families who were previously excluded from this benefit. About half of children in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are poor.
• Low-wage and essential workers deserve paid family and medical leave. 32% of workers in Massachusetts, 33% in Connecticut, and 40% in Rhode Island are making less than $15/hour – far less than the living wage in each of these states.
• There are 4 million uninsured people in this country, during a still-raging pandemic, who would be covered through Medicaid expansions.

This is not a one-time fight, and we will keep pushing for all of the protections, benefits, and dignities people need and deserve in 2022 and beyond. You can join in your state’s campaign for local action, or join the Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers Assembly and Moral March on Washington on June 18, 2022. If you are not already connected to your state’s campaign, I can help you get in touch: brewer-walline@sneucc.org

To learn more about the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, including facts about policies and how they affect real people, you can explore a variety of resources here.  

Photos: (top right) Emma Brewer-Wallin (with Fight Poverty sign) and the Poor People's Campaign in Washington DC.; (bottom left) Bishop William J. Barber II, Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and others lead the march.