Poor People's Campaign II

Jerry Robinson, President / CEO - Poor People's Campaign

The Poor People’s Campaign (PPC) of 1968 should have been one the monumental events of the Civil Rights Movement.  The Campaign would have announced, in the boldest way possible, a seismic shift in the direction and goals of the Movement.  Organizers were anxious and eager to eclipse their previous crowning achievement, the March on Washington in August of 1963.  Having confronted the problem(s) of segregation, civil rights leaders were now ready to battle against economic injustice.  The PPC would also be broader in its outreach by advocating on behalf of all poor Americans.  Federal agencies, congressional leaders and governmental policy-makers were to be targeted for demonstrations.  President Lyndon Johnson would have been presented with an “Economic Bill of Rights” containing a demand for a guaranteed annual income for the poor.  The Campaign was to have culminated in a massive gathering in Washington, D.C., highlighted by the creation of a “Resurrection City” on the National Mall.  And while the PPC did happen, it never approached the attainment of its lofty goals.  The April 4, 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. cast a somber pall over the proceedings when participants, whose numbers were much smaller than hoped, assembled on May 12th.  The “death blow” was delivered on June 5th when Robert F. Kennedy was killed.  Two weeks later, without achieving any of its major objectives, the PPC was disbanded.  The name itself, “Poor People’s Campaign,” was destined for historical dormancy until 2 Chicagoans decided to “resurrect” it.

Jerry Robinson is the president and CEO of the Poor People’s Campaign.  His associate, Floyd Davis (no relation to this writer), is the vice-president.  Both men have personal connections to the 1968 PPC; several members of Robinson’s family attended and Davis, along with members of his family, was actually there.  Both have long been active in the community, serving in various ways, but it is with the PPC that the 2 believe they have found their “calling.”  Robinson, specifically, is quick to point out the “spiritual” component that caused him to retrieve the PPC mantle.  It was 2003 when Robinson became seriously ill with heart-related complications.  While in the throes of pain (and under the influence of strong prescription medication), Robinson experienced what can only be described as an “apparition.”  “There were 3 of them,” Robinson remembers, “3 spirits.  One of them kept repeating, ‘Do what you are commanded to do.’  I made a promise to the ‘spirit’ and myself that if I survive my illness and regain even a semblance of good health, I would work on behalf of the less fortunate.”  It was Davis who steered the duo toward the Poor People’s Campaign.  Further investigation revealed the name “Poor People’s Campaign” had been lying unused since 1968.  The two men registered the name (much to the chagrin of certain “mainstream” civil rights leaders), formed a non-profit organization and have been doggedly working on the issues left unaddressed and unresolved by the original Poor People’s Campaign.

Jerry Robinson is totally in-synch with the objectives of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign.  He is a strong believer in one of the more controversial planks in the PPC platform, the guaranteed earned income.  Robinson also feels the time is right for a second PPC; unfinished business, if you will.  “After all,” says Robinson “many of the same problems from 41 years ago still exist and a strong argument can be made that says they’ve gotten worse.”  He makes his point by citing recent statistics on poverty in America, wealth inequities, the high level of unemployment, lack of decent, affordable housing and the debate (or lack thereof) over health care.   The immediate objectives of the PPC are to raise its visibility, followed by raising some money.  Robinson also wants to significantly increase, what he calls, the level of “human investment” within the organization.  “This time around, the Poor People’s Campaign will be more aggressive in establishing relationships with organizations and individuals that have expressed an interest in the eradication of poverty in America.  We are willing to work with anyone interested in making real, substantial change.”

For more information:   http://poorpeoplescampaignppc.org/   http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thepoorpeoplescampaign7   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_People's_Campaign