The Poor People’s Campaign launched a 40-week operation to catalyze the voting power of poor people across the country. Some 7,000 volunteers will be tasked with mobilizing 15 million voters ahead of November’s election, with the first major coordinated actions taking place outside of 30 statehouses on March 2. This is Bishop William Barber unveiling the initiative at a press conference in Washington, D.C., Monday.

Bishop William Barber II: “For far too long extremists have blamed poor people and low-wage people for their plight, while moderates too often have ignored poor people, appealing instead to the so-called middle class. Meanwhile, poor and low-income, low-wage people have become nearly half of this country. And we are here today to make one thing clear: Poor and low-wage brothers and sisters have the power to determine and decide the 2024 elections and elections beyond.”