People's War Against Poverty

Poverty March

War Against Poverty

President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 asked of the U.S. Congress that it authorize a war against poverty in America. What follows is the text from that request. I’ll leave it to you to determine how successful LBJ was.

The War on Poverty, March 1964
Lyndon B. Johnson's Special Message to Congress, March 16, 1964

Because it is right, because it is wise, and because, for the first time in our history, it is possible to conquer poverty, I submit, for the consideration of the Congress and the country, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.

The Act does not merely expand old programs or improve what is already being done.

It charts a new course.

It strikes at the causes, not just the consequences of poverty.

It can be a milestone in our one-hundred eighty year search for a better life for our people.
This Act provides five basic opportunities.

It will give almost half a million underprivileged young Americans the opportunity to develop skills, continue education, and find useful work.

It will give every American community the opportunity to develop a comprehensive plan to fight its own poverty-and help them to carry out their plans.

It will give dedicated Americans the opportunity to enlist as volunteers in the war against poverty.

It will give many workers and farmers the opportunity to break through particular barriers which bar their escape from poverty.

It will give the entire nation the opportunity for a concerted attack on poverty through the establishment, tinder my direction, of the Office of Economic Opportunity, a national headquarters for the war against poverty.

This is how we propose to create these opportunities.

First we will give high priority to helping young Americans who lack skills, who have not completed their education or who cannot complete it because they are too poor. . . .

I therefore recommend the creation of a job Corps, a Work-Training Program, and a Work Study Program.

A new national job Corps will build toward an enlistment of 100,000 young men. They will be drawn from those whose background, health and education make them least fit for useful work. . . .

Half of these young men will work, in the first year, on special conservation projects to give them education, useful work experience and to enrich the natural resources of the country.

Half of these young men will receive, in the first year, a blend of training, basic education and work experience in job Training Centers. . . .

A new national Work-Training Program operated by the Department of Labor will provide work and training for 200,000 American men and women between the ages of 16 and 21. This will be developed through state and local governments and non-profit agencies. . . .

A new national Work-Study Program operated by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare will provide federal funds for part-time jobs for 140,000 young Americans who do not go to college because they cannot afford it.

There is no more senseless waste than the waste of the brainpower and skill of those who are kept from college by economic circumstance. Under this program they will, in a great American tradition, be able to work their way through school. . . .

Second, through a new Community Action program we intend to strike at poverty at its source - in the streets of our cities and on the farms of our countryside among the very young and the impoverished old.

This program asks men and women throughout the country to prepare long-range plans for the attack on poverty in their own local communities. . .

Third, I ask for the authority to recruit and train skilled volunteers for the war against poverty.

Thousands of Americans have volunteered to serve the needs of other lands.

Thousands more want the chance to serve the needs of their own land. They should have that chance.

Among older people who have retired, as well as among the young, among women as well as men, there are many Americans who are ready to enlist in our war against poverty.

They have skills and dedication. They are badly needed. . . .

Fourth, we intend to create new opportunities for certain hard-hit groups to break out of the pattern of poverty.

Through a new program of loans and guarantees we can provide incentives to those who will employ the unemployed.

Through programs of work and retraining for unemployed fathers and mothers we can help them support their families in dignity while preparing themselves for new work.

Through funds to purchase needed land, organize cooperatives, and create new and adequate family farms we can help those whose life on the land has been a struggle without hope.

Fifth, I do not intend that the war against poverty become a series of uncoordinated and unrelated efforts - that it perish for lack of leadership and direction.

Therefore this bill creates, in the Executive Office of the President, a new Office of Economic Opportunity. Its Director will be my personal Chief of Staff for the War against poverty. I intend to appoint Sargent Shriver to this post. . . .

What you are being asked to consider is not a simple or an easy program. But poverty is not a simple or an easy enemy.

It cannot be driven from the land by a single attack on a single front. Were this so we would have conquered poverty long ago.

Nor can it be conquered by government alone. . .

Today, for the first time in our history, we have the power to strike away the barriers to full participation in our society. Having the power, we have the duty .. .

We are fully aware that this program will not eliminate all the poverty in America in a few months or a few years. Poverty is deeply rooted and its causes are many.

But this program will show the way to new opportunities for millions of our fellow citizens.

It will provide a lever with which we can begin to open the door to our prosperity for those who have been kept outside.

It will also give us the chance to test our weapons, to try our energy and ideas and imagination for the many battles yet to come. As conditions change, and as experience illuminates our difficulties, we will be prepared to modify our strategy.

And this program is much more than a beginning.

Rather it is a commitment. It is a total commitment by this President, and this Congress, and this nation, to pursue victory over the most ancient of mankind's enemies.


Unfortunately, the social turmoil of the 1960s, coupled with the war in Vietnam intervened in our quest to fight poverty in America. Today, whatever miniscule whiff of such a philosophy or such a commitment by our government to help out and aide in our own war against poverty is being systematically rooted out and purged by those who believe in wealth only for the oligarchs. George Dubya Bush currently leads that war to privilege only the wealthiest, and treat the great percentage of Americans as slime – and stupid slime at that.

The world, however, disagrees with such a philosophy, and today, as may be witnessed below, great masses of everyday people are organizing to do something about poverty, only this time in Africa. While it will not, per se, help those in America, it will help out some of the poor somewhere, and for that reason alone should and must be saluted.





From the BBC: go here for original

Thousands flock to poverty march

Protesters march
Thousands of protesters have taken part in a Make Poverty History march in Edinburgh, as musicians perform in Live 8 concerts around the globe.

Organisers said about 225,000 people had been involved while police and council officials put the figure at approximately 200,000.

The marchers heard speeches from political and religious leaders as well as celebrities who back the cause.

They called for the G8 leaders meeting at Gleneagles next week to take action.

EDINBURGH MARCH

Saturday's march is one of a number of events planned in the run-up to Wednesday's G8 summit, when campaigners hope world leaders will make a commitment to tackle poverty in Africa.

It coincides with the series of Live 8 concerts being held on Saturday in cities around the world, including London.

We have had enough political spin, promises and downright lies
Pete Postlethwaite, Actor

Police corral protesters

Some 200,000 people were expected in Hyde Park to see performers including U2, Pink Floyd, Madonna, REM and Coldplay.

The concerts will span nearly 24 hours, with the first having started in Tokyo at 0600 BST.

Organised by Live Aid founder Bob Geldof, they will call for more aid for Africa, debt cancellation and fairer trade.

Organisers' reaction

Referring to the turnout, a spokesman said: "Make Poverty History are absolutely delighted with this, to see so many people come to show that they really care.

"We believe more than 200,000 people have been at our rally and march."

People on the Edinburgh march were urged to wear white. Five cranes were constructed along the south end of The Meadows to display a giant banner bearing the message "Make Poverty History".

Marchers began leaving a rally in The Meadows at intervals from 1200 BST, with the aim of forming a human chain around central Edinburgh. The head of the procession re-entered The Meadows shortly after 1320 BST.

Making Poverty History banner in crowd
Some of the crowds taking part in the massive march

A small group of about 50 protestors walked ahead of the main procession, many in business suits and ties, apparently mocking multinational companies.

There was applause as they passed a Starbucks and they bowed down towards McDonald's as one of their number chanted: "Two, four, six, eight, we really must accumulate."

A strong police presence was in place as the procession turned left off Princes Street and up along Lothian Road towards the city's financial district.

Ranks of officers, some on horseback and seven police vans greeted the demonstrators as they were directed away around 100 yards from the Standard Life and Clydesdale Bank headquarters.

There were some minor scuffles near The Mound, where the Bank of Scotland has its corporate headquarters. It was spotted from a helicopter and police acted quickly to curb the protesters involved.

Pope's message

Earlier, a message from Pope Benedict XVI was read out in which he said people from the world's richest countries should be prepared to accept the burden of debt reduction for poor countries.

Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell watched the march as it passed onto Princes Street. He said: "This is fantastic, it is a great carnival atmosphere and it is a message of hope.

"We are in a beautiful city with a beautiful message and I hope it is being listened to."


WHAT IS THE G8?

Name
Group of eight major industrialised states, inc Russia
Members
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK, US
Aims
Originally set up to discuss trade and economic issues
Now leaders discuss global issues of the day
2005 Summit agenda
Africa
Climate change

Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd addressed the rally and said: "With so many people here today, the leaders have to do something - thank you for coming."

Actor Pete Postlethwaite said: "We have had enough political spin, promises and downright lies."

Beryl Chatfield, from Worthing, Sussex, flew from Gatwick to take part and said: "I came to put pressure on the G8 to change things, for fair trade, aid and to drop the debt."

Sam Hawkins, 24, from London, said: "I think we're united around a common goal and that is eradicating poverty and working for a fairer world."

A number of protesters complained of being photographed by police as they made their way to Scotland.

Among them were three coach loads of people from Belfast who said they were held at Stranraer by police, photographed and had their bags searched.

Elsewhere, campaigners who took trains from Euston said they were not allowed to make the journey until officers had taken their pictures.

Police officer in riot gear
One of the police officers involved in the stand-off

A group of about 60 demonstrators, some of them armed with sticks, were enclosed in following a stand-off with police.

Some 200 officers erected barriers and formed lines in an area near Edinburgh University. Half were in full riot gear including helmets and shields.

A police spokesperson said some of the black-clad protestors were wearing padded clothing and had been spotted as potential trouble makers. The situation has been controlled without any arrests being made so far.

The incident occurred well away from where the Make Poverty History march is taking place.

'Carnival' concern

On Sunday, an Anti-War Coalition demonstration will take place in the city, followed by the Carnival for Full Enjoyment on Monday.

The latter is giving police concern because of reports that hard-core anarchists will use the event to cause trouble.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Dickinson, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "We have a long and successful tradition of overseeing marches, demonstrations and other high-profile events in a sensitive manner and enabling protest groups to make their point without having to resort to conflict.

"We welcome people who wish to take part but will not tolerate anti-social behaviour or criminal disorder."

Protest group, G8 Alternatives, is promising peaceful demonstrations.

Spokesman Dave Shields said: "When peaceful protesters get together to protest against poverty and war, then things will be extremely peaceful and there is going to be no cause for violence whatsoever."


From the Associated Press: go here for full story
LONDON -
Paul McCartney and U2 rocked London's Hyde Park with a rousing performance of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" on Saturday to kick off the main event in the Live 8 extravaganza rolling around the globe from Tokyo to Johannesburg.

A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd of 150,000 as McCartney and U2's Bono belted out the first line: "It was 20 years ago today ..." — a nod to the mammoth Live Aid concerts that raised millions for African famine relief two decades ago.

Musicians and fans were gathering in 10 cities worldwide for a global music marathon to raise awareness of African poverty and to pressure world leaders to do something about it at the Group of Eight summit in Scotland next week.

Organizer
Bob Geldof promised to deliver "the greatest concert ever."

Bono, dressed in black and wearing his trademark wraparound shades, wrapped the crowd around his finger, getting tens of thousands to sing along to the anthemic "One" and "Beautiful Day." The crowd cheered as white doves were released overhead.

"So this is our moment. This is our time. This is our chance to stand up for what's right," Bono said. "We're not looking for charity, we're looking for justice. We cannot fix every problem, but the ones we can, we must."

After a brief delay — testament to the complexities of the eight-hour extravaganza — Coldplay soothed the crowd with their hit "In My Place."

The musical marathon started in Japan, where Bjork and Good Charlotte joined local bands for a concert that failed to generate much interest in Asia's only G-8 nation.

It rolled on to Johannesburg, South Africa, where thousands of people — some in brightly colored beaded skirts, others wearing jeans and talking on cell phones — jumped, danced and waved signs demanding "trade justice" and "give us food."

German crowd-pleasers Die Toten Hosen kicked off Berlin's Live 8 concert, electrifying the crowd with a string of power anthems while reminding revelers that helping Africa stood above the music.

"This is no rock concert, it's a reminder about next Wednesday," singer Campino told the crowds, referring to next week's meeting of the leaders of the wealthy G-8 nations to debate ways to lift African nations out of poverty.

Besides London, Berlin and Tokyo, concerts also were being held in cities in the other G-8 countries — Philadelphia, Paris, Rome, Toronto and Moscow.

The concert in Johannesburg and a concert featuring African artists in southwestern England were organized after criticism that African artists had been left out of the Live 8 concerts, despite the event's aim to raise awareness of the continent's plight.

"Africans are involved in helping Africa, which doesn't happen too often," Cameroonian singer Coco Mbassi said before the concert at the Eden Project, the world's largest greenhouse in southwestern England.

"We're presenting a different image of Africa — showing that Africa has good things to give," Mbassi said.

In an open letter to the G-8 leaders, which appeared in several British newspapers Saturday, Geldof said the summit will disappoint the world if it fails to deliver an extra $25 billion in aid to Africa.

"We will not applaud half-measures, or politics as usual. This must be a historic breakthrough," the letter says. "Today there will be noise and music and joy, the joy of exuberant possibility. On Friday (the end of the summit) there will be great silence as the world awaits your verdict. Do not disappoint us. Do not create a generation of cynics."

In Tokyo, Icelandic singer Bjork made her first live performance in two years. But the crowd of 10,000 people was only half of what the hall in the Tokyo suburb of Makuhari was capable of holding.

"People are willing to go out of their way, because we believe passionately in what this is about," said Bjork. "Just the acknowledgment of the problem is an important step."

In Hyde Park, organizers and police geared up for one of the biggest outdoor events ever held in Britain. More than 150,000 people had tickets for the free show, with another 55,000 expected to watch on giant screens in the park.

Thousands of fans streamed into Hyde Park two hours before the start of the show — some hedging against the unpredictable British weather by wearing both sun hats and raincoats.

London concertgoer Tula Contostavlos, 19, said she was there to see Mariah Carey — and to send a political message.

"Obviously some people are here for just music, but they're forgetting what's important and what they're here for, why we're doing this," she said.

Organizers say 2 million people may attend the concerts and claim 85 percent of the world's population will have access to a television, radio or Internet broadcast of the day's events.

A complex broadcasting operation was feeding footage of the concerts to networks including the British Broadcasting Corp. — which was devoting more than 12 hours on its main TV channels to the event — and MTV.

The lineups were eclectic: Destiny's Child, The Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, P. Diddy and Jay-Z in Philadelphia; Brian Wilson, Chris de Burgh and Green Day in Berlin; Neil Young, Bryan Adams and Motley Crue in Barrie, north of Toronto; McFly in Tokyo; the Pet Shop Boys in Moscow; Goth-rockers The Cure and Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour in Paris.

The artists, playing for free, were heeding Geldof's call to urge world leaders to double aid, cancel debt and rework unfair trade laws to lift African nations out of poverty.

Few doubt it will be a memorable day, not least the ever-voluble Geldof.

"It's Bob Dylan, 'The Times They Are A-Changin' — they've changed," Geldof told an audience of young people at an MTV taping Thursday. "The answer isn't blowing in the wind, it's called the Commission for Africa. There's nothing that you do that can't be done."