Poor People’s March commemorates 1963 March on Washington

(Plain Press, September 2009) Eighty people gathered at the State Office Building at W. 6th and Superior for this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Poor People’s March, which began with a rally August 21st at high noon. The marchers held home made signs calling for social and economic justice. For the past five years, residents of Cleveland, one of the poorest cities in the nation, have marched to commemorate the 1963 Poor Peoples’ March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The 1963 March, led by Martin Luther King and the Southern Christian Leadership Council, culminated with a huge rally in Washington D.C. where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I have a Dream” speech which is now etched in the national consciousness.

At the kickoff to the march, a number of speakers highlighted issues of specific concern to low-income residents of Cleveland, the State of Ohio and the nation.

Local research analyst, George Zeller, who has recorded poverty and employment trends in Cleveland and the State of Ohio for over 20 years, noted that Ohio has lost 86,349 jobs in the current recession. He said 27,000 of those jobs lost were high paying manufacturing jobs. The total dollars earned in paychecks in Cuyahoga County have decreased by $3.2 billion or 9% since the recession began in 2000.

Zeller noted Ohio has experienced over $12 billion in lost tax revenue as a result of the recession. This August the state recorded the lowest retail sales collection in 20 years. Zeller says this loss of sales tax revenue hurts State and County budgets as well as agencies like the Regional Transit Authority, which depend on sales tax revenue.

Zeller said the recession is continuing in Cuyahoga County. He said layoffs last week (2,225 new claims for unemployment compensation) were over 1,000 people higher than they are at this time of year in a non-recession year.

Larry Bresler, speaking for Advocates for Budget Legislation Equality, criticized State of Ohio office holders for “balancing the state budget on the backs of the poor.” He noted that rather than close numerous tax loopholes, state office holders made cuts in essential programs. Bresler said because the budget was “passed with smoke and mirrors” that the legislature would be proposing more cuts when adjustments are made in the state budget to meet revenue shortfalls. He urged action to pressure the legislature and the governor to raise revenues to make the budget adjustments rather than cut more programs.

Bresler noted that the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign would be having a national meeting in Detroit this year. He urged those in attendance to join this effort to combat poverty and human rights abuses on a national level.

Prisscilla Cooper, from Family Connect, a sponsor of the march said, “Cuyahoga County chooses to limit welfare benefits more than they have to. Families lose their benefits during the worst economic times in decades, and no one knows what happens to them. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

A local minister described Cuyahoga County’s pattern of pressuring poor people to agree plea bargains – even when it isn’t really in their interest.

Federal issues raised by the marchers included the choice to fund wars at the expense of the social safety net.

Other scheduled speakers addressed a variety of topics. Angelo Anderson, from the Northeast Ohio Homeless Coalition, talked about City policies keeping certain people homeless. Donna Brown of Concerned Parents of Cleveland, spoke about the school board’s consolidation plans, and other education issues in the City.

Following the initial speeches and the singing of the Black National Anthem, marchers walked to the County Building, to Cleveland City Hall ending the march at the Free Stamp Park, E.9 St. and Lakeview where they enjoyed poetry, music and dance with Basheer Jones and Al Porter of the Hip Hop Workshop.

The Family Connection Center and Stop Targeting Ohio's Poor sponsored the MLK Poor People's March. A whole array of local groups added their endorsement to the march. Endorsers included: Advocates for Budget Legislation Equality(ABLE), Basheer Jones, Bail Out the People Movement, Black on Black Inc., CMSD Parent Ambassador, Cleveland Jericho,Cleveland Fist, Cleveland Peace Action, Global Education, Interreligious Task Force, Jobs With Justice, the Money Spot, NE Ohio Anti-War Coalition, NE Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, Organize Ohio , Parents in Progress, Single Parent Action Network, and United Clevelanders Against Poverty.

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