The Poor People’s Campaign brings its national bus tour to Kentucky on April 29 with stops in Eddyville, Hopkinsville and Bowling Green on its mission to focus attention on the challenges facing those who live in poverty.
The Poor People’s Campaignwas organized by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968 to push for economic justice for those in poverty in the United States.
North Carolina pastor Rev. William Barber revived the greassroots movement with rallies at state capitol buildings and other public locations across the country, including Kentucky, to lead what’s called “A National Call for Moral Revival.”
Michael Gramling is a member of the Kentucky State Coordinating Committee for the Poor People’s Campaign. Gramling said the stops in Kentucky, including the one in Eddyville where the state’s maximum security prison is located, will highlight issues that include the disproportionate number of African-Americans and other people of color in jail. Families of inmates are expected to speak.
Other issues to be addressed at the three stops include affordable housing and hunger.
“It’s not about partisan politics. It is about right or wrong," said Gramling. "The things that we’re seeing are wrong. It’s wrong to have a child go hungry.”
Gramling said the April 29 bus tour will end at Mouth Zion Church in Bowling Green at 6 p.m.
“There’s going to be a community supper. There’s going to be music and speakers. Rev. Barber himself will speak, " said Gramling. "But really the main focus is that the people who live in this community who are impacted by poverty are going to tell their stories.”
The Bowling Green event is open to the public.
