The Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign launches its March on the Republican National Convention
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by RAM and Theodora Mays/NPRRR "I was a formerly homeless mother who once lived in an abandoned building". This was my introduction to Cheri Honkala, Executive Director of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC), a coalition of organizations from across the country united in the mission to "Abolish poverty everywhere and forever". As Cheri's words came through the phone I felt an instant connection to her. Having grown up with a Mother battling addiction -- evictions, hunger and instability were my constant companions. Cheri and the PPEHRC foster that same connection in poor people across color lines and across the country. She has been organizing with other poor folks for the last twenty-five years, and on September 2nd, the second day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in St. Paul Minnesota, over a year of Cheri's full time efforts will come to fruition as the PPEHRC embarks on "The March For Our Lives", one of the largest poor people's marches to ever take place. PPEHRC describes the march as, " A powerful, peaceful demonstration for the right to healthcare, housing, and all economic human rights. We will march because as poverty, hunger, unemployment, and homelessness grow throughout this country, political leaders from both major parties have abandoned us. We cannot afford to be silent. We cannot afford to be disappeared from the public eye and the political debate as our families suffer". And our families do suffer - I can attest to that - with each member of my family effected by the insidious ramifications of poverty, barely surviving the daily fight for a bed, a meal, a little peace; and my Father not surviving at all - sent to an all too early grave before he had the chance to learn what I've learned", that like Cheri says "We cannot afford to be silent". I found my voice at POOR Magazine, sharing my experiences, my story--making it heard, finding the power that comes when voices combine together and fight as one. But that fight doesn't come easy. Having lived through many police raids on my home as a child, it is no surprise to me that according to Cheri, "There are expected to be as many police officers as protesters at the march". Where ever there are poor people gathered there will undoubtedly be police. Cheri and the PPEHRC have already had to face the "cow-boy mentality" of the St. Paul police department. On July 3rd Cheri was even contacted by the Federal Justice Department regarding their concern for violence towards Cheri and other marchers. They claim to want to offer protection to the marchers. The PPEHRC declined the offer. As with the PPEHRC's other marches, their experience with the media, even the so-called progressive media has been that of a complete "white-out" of what is really happening leading up to the march, a setting up of it as a violent event, and then having them get it wrong in the end. Like POOR Magazine PPEHRC is very clear that we as poor folks must tell our own story. Thanks to the hard work of PPEHRC folks and Cheri – there will be thousands of poor folks truly being heard at Minneapolis this year. For more information on getting involved with the march go on-line to http://www.economichumanrights.org/index.shtml |