By James Wright, Special to the AFRO, jwright@afro.com

Marylanders who are concerned about social issues affecting poor and low-income Americans and have joined the Poor People’s Campaign and have been rallying at the state capitol in Annapolis since May 14. The latest one was held May 21.

On May 14, the goal of the rally was to bring attention to the plight of women and children in Maryland, and several protestors were arrested at Lawyers Mall on the grounds of the capitol. On May 21, there was a protest against systemic racism and Mary Dadone, a participant in both protests, told the AFRO what happened.

Poor People’s Campaign (Courtesy Image/Logo)

“There were far fewer people than last week that attended the protest,” Dadone said. “We wanted to practice civil disobedience. Forty of us entered the state capitol and when we got started the Capitol police shut us down in 30 seconds.”

Dadone said a few people were arrested but those who were handled by the police continued their anti-racism chants.

“We wanted to send a message to the members of the Maryland General Assembly and to the governor,” she said. “We want an end to systemic racism, voter suppression, restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to its full power and the fair treatment of immigrants.”

The Marylanders are part of a national campaign that is co-chaired by the Rev. Williams Barber II of North Carolina and Liz Theoharis to revisit the Poor People’s Campaign that was held in April of 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was set to lead the protest but was assassinated ahead of the event. Rev. Ralph Abernathy took over the mantle after King’s death.

The campaign is known as Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival and protestors are taking part in activities similar to what is going on in Maryland in 35 states and the District of Columbia.

The activities are guided by “The Moral Agenda” that calls for major changes to address systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, the war economy, repealing the 2017 federal tax law, implementation of federal and state living wage laws, universal single-payer health care and clean water for all Americans.

The protests are scheduled to take place on each Monday, with the exception of May 28 which is Memorial Day, until the culminating event takes place on June 23 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

“We decided to respect Memorial Day out of respect for our veterans,” Dadone said. “We will resume that week’s activity on Tuesday, March 29 with a demonstration at the capitol in Annapolis.”