Poor People's Campaign Freedom School Bus Tour

April 4-9, the NYS Poor People's Campaign traveled across Western and Central New York on a National Emergency Freedom School Bus Tour, where we learned about past and present struggles for justice in Buffalo, Geneseo, Elmira, Enfield, Ithaca, Auburn, and Syracuse. Our trip shined a light on the emergencies facing our communities - including farmworker exploitation, food insecurity, mass incarceration, and displacement - as well as the rich history of abolitionist struggle in our state.

Check out press coverage of our Elmira Poor People's Hearing, visit to the Harriet Tubman house in Auburn, and tour of Syracuse and see photos and a recap of each stop on the NY PPC blog.

We're also holding a report-back webinar on Tuesday, April 30 at 7 pm. RSVP to hear more about what we experienced and what it means for continuing to build a movement in New York.

On Monday, March 18, members of the New York Poor People’s Campaign marched from the Social Security Administration to the Rennselaer Social Services Agency to bring attention to the New York State budget’s underfunding of social programs, even as inequality and poverty devastate Troy, and urban and rural communities throughout the state. The demonstration was part of a statewide day of action across New York, demanding the state government change course and prioritize ending systemic racism, poverty, militarism and ecological devastation. Other actions took place in Elmira, Hempstead, and New York City.

On March 16, Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, national co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, gave the 2019 Lamar Lecture at First Presbyterian Church in Albany, followed by a discussion with Willie Baptist of the Kairos Center and Rev. Emily McNeill of the Labor-Religion Coalition of NYS and the NY Poor People’s Campaign.