MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- It's about building a path forward, with a common cause. A national movement for the poor is holding a virtual moral march this weekend. This campaign has roots in most states, including ones planted in Wisconsin.
It's easy to miss this small garden on Milwaukee's south side. Called The People's Garden at first glance it looks like any other, but they are growing more than just flowers and food. "It's a community space where we come together to get to know each other as neighbors," explained Natalia Fajardo.
Neighbors United started the garden. It's part of a bigger statewide and national movement called the Poor People's Campaign. The goal is to unite poor and impacted communities for change.
Fajardo is a coordinator with the Wisconsin branch. She's watched the campaign grow, with the momentum happening across the state right now. "Fighting for what is our right, fighting for what we deserve and fighting for what has been denied for too long," said Fajardo.
The agenda is personal for one volunteer who wants us only to use her first name, Abigail. She doesn't speak English; Natalia interpreted for us. Abigail pointed out, "us poor people, and I count myself as poor, there's lots of us here on the south side, so we're coming together in unity Black, White, Latinos."
Before the pandemic, there were 140 million poor and low income people in the U.S. Many, like Abigail, have struggled even more since COVID-19. "My hourly wage is very low ... when the pandemic started my hours went down to 40 a week. That was a huge effect for me."
The virus and now civil unrest both highlighting systematic issues like lack of affordable housing, healthcare and well paying jobs. Abigail said "I definitely see people waking up and realizing the connections, that's why we're coming together in unity to fight for real change."
Poor People's Campaign was planning a moral march on D.C. for this weekend. That event is now being held online and anyone can register. It's happening June 20th at 9am and 5pm CST and again June 21st at 5pm.
To learn more about Neighbor's United or the Wisconsin Poor People's Campaign: