March for Economic Human Rights Press Coverage

everyone has the right to food, clothing, housing, living wage jobs, health care and education

International Herald Tribune:The Poor Protest to Republicans [8-1-00]

The Paris-based International Herald Tribune picked up the Washington Post story.

Washington Post: Thousands Risk Arrest in Poverty Protest [8-1-00]

"Faced with thousands of marchers willing to risk arrest--including mothers with children in strollers and a squad of people in wheelchairs--police here stood aside and allowed an illegal parade down the city's main thoroughfare to carry an anti-poverty message almost to the doors of the Republican National Convention"

New York Times: Demonstrators, Denied Permission, March Anyway and Even Gain a Police Escort [8-1-00]

"The protesters were no less strategic than the police."

"'We feel this is a big victory in giving a voice to the words and power of poor people,' said Jonathan M. Blazer, a lawyer with the Kensington Welfare Rights Union."

"'I'm from Nigeria and one day wish to go back and deliver a lesson in democracy like this,' [said] Femi Johnson, cab driver"

Philadelphia Inquirer: Peaceful march down Broad pleases police and protesters [8-1-00]

"'It's not about getting arrested,' said Galen Tyler, a Welfare Rights Union member. 'Our message is: In the richest country in the world, we ought to be able to put an end to poverty and homelessness.'"

Philadelphia Independent Media Center: Report from Philly by Leslie Cagan [7-31-00] [See the PhillyIMC site for full coverage of the March]

"By all measures, this was an extremely successful protest. It was inspiring to see the power of thousands of people, marching for economic justice under the leadership of a multi-racial, community organization of poor people."

Reuters: Anti-Poverty Activists March in Philadelphia [8-1-00]

"'We are marching today to show the face of poor people to the delegates of the Republican convention,' said the Rev. Marcus Pomeroy, a local Baptist minister who led an early morning prayer service at a tent city called 'Bushville,' where a core group of 200 activists began the day."

Associated Press: 8 Arrested Near GOP Convention [not at our march!] [8-1-00]

"'Police were saying that no one was going to show up this week,' said activist Jonathan Delaney, 16, of Philadelphia. 'What you're seeing is that people do care. That they're willing to do what it takes for the word to get out on injustice in this country.'

"'We've got this one moment in time to demonstrate to people in this country and around the world that this is how serious we are about raising these issues of homelessness and poverty in this city. People are willing to go to jail to raise those issues,' said protest organizer Cheri Honkala said."

Philadelphia Daily News: Marching to fight poverty is his most important role [8-1-00]

"'This march is really for everybody,' Tim Dowlin said, after gulping bottled water. 'Everyone is one paycheck away from homelessness.'"

New York Daily News: Oblivious in Philly: Millionaires' party out of touch with poor [8-1-00]

"'I've gone through all my savings, and in a few weeks I could be homeless to boot,' he said. 'Some of these government people just don't understand what we go through.'"

"And so it was with the 5,000 or so demonstrators on the first day of the Republican National Convention as they tried to remind the delegates that millions of Americans still live in poverty."

La Jornada, Mexico City, Mexico: Ocupan las calles de Filadelfia diversas organizaciones sociales [8-1-00]

US News and World Report: 2000 Conventions: Outside the Hall [7-31-00]

Chicago Tribune: 3,000 Activists Shout for Causes in Well-Mannered Walk to the Park [8-1-00]

"After the march, Cheri Honkala, leader of the Kensington group, declared victory. 'We should no longer be treated like dogs, and we no longer will permit human-rights violations in the United States,' Honkala said."

 

If you know of any other press coverage of the march available on the web, please email us with the link.

 

Pre-March News:

C-SPAN: Watch interview with KWRU Director Cheri Honkala on Real Video [7-30-00]