Poverty

On the 16th of September, DC area community activists showed up outside the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, demanding that the Catholic Church cancel plans to sell off rent-controlled buildings near Rhode Island avenue to developers who intend to evict the tenants.

Video-speakers call out the greed and hypocrisy of the Church throwing tenants out in the street for 30 pieces of silver

Rev. Graylan Hagler and the DC Poor People's Campaign protest inhumane conditions at the DC Central holding block including roaches and vermin. Protesters describe their experiences being held at the DC jail and call for it to either be renovated or closed.

YouTube Link

Speeches and soundbites after 19:33

New Senate legislation offers additional options for Puerto Rico to cut its debt. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) introduced the US Territorial Relief Act. If Congress passes the act, US Territories that experience natural disasters could qualify for debt relief.

On the 23ed of June, the Poor People's Campaign held a rally and march on the US Capitol at the endpoint of their initial 40 days of action. The US Capitol Police blocked the march from approaching the Capitol West Lawn, using police lines and protest pen fence to divert marchers. This was not expected by many marchers and could have created a dangerous crowd crush scenario.

Video of the march and the police lines/pens that hemmed it in 2min 42 sec