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poor people's march for economic human rights
Durham and Raleigh
[17-18 August 2003] leadership development, capitol vigil
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Look for images soon. |
In the morning the marchers were able to sleep in until 8:00 am, take showers, and pause to reflect on the march so far. Together, they discussed the process of leadership development - planting seeds to build a movement capable of ending economic human rights violations.
Willie Baptist, Education Director for the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, framed the discussion with an analogy: "Suppose we are camping in the woods, when a hungry bear enters the camp looking for someone to eat. The first person who wakes up has a responsibility to wake the others so they can make sure no one gets eaten. The first person to wake up is in a position of leadership." "We need to wake up and see our daily struggles for healthcare, housing, and jobs in their connection to all those struggling for basic economic human rights. We need to wake up all those who are struggling so we can build a movement that can end poverty." "We are all leaders, and we all need to take responsiblity for this task. We need to develop the courage, clarity, and commitment necessary to move forward. We need to develop those around us into leaders, "each one teach one." Marchers slept in the home of Cynthia Brown, a local leader and friend of the movement.
North Carolina capitol vigil
In the afternoon, it was time again to raise the issue of job-loss and the economic hardships faced by more and more Americans. The marchers decided to take these problems to state law makers and headed to Raleigh, the capitol of North Carolina.
Singing and chanting as they went, the march wound through downtown Raleigh, ending at the North Carolina Capitol Building. The Capitol Police moved in and said no protesting is allowed on North Carolina State property, and told the marchers they had to leave. In response, the marchers put down their signs, held up their American flags and formed a circle. After talking over the options, it was decided to stay the night and hold a silent protest. Tara led a prayer of hope for everyone who has lost there job this year in North Carolina and ended in a promise to take the stories gathered in Durhamn and from the laid off Pillowtex workers(insert link to pillowtex report)all the way to Washington DC. As it started to rain, the marchers took shelter under a nearby overhang. |