Photo Essay The Poor People's Campaign: 'Poverty Is Violence'

The Poor People’s Campaign began Monday in Washington, D.C., as thousands of activists joined the Revs. William Barber II and Liz Theoharis, co-chairs of the campaign, as well as leaders of the Women’s March and other public figures. More than 200 people were arrested.

Truthdig correspondent Michael Nigro’s photo essay on the beginning of the protest, which is focused on the theme “Somebody Is Hurting Our People: Children, Women and People with Disabilities in Poverty,” is part one of our exclusive coverage.

Inspired by Martin Luther King’s first iteration of the movement, the new group plans 40 days of protest in more than 30 states and will tackle inequality, climate change, U.S. military interventions and other pressing issues.

To see Truthdig’s multimedia updates from Washington on Monday, click here.

Your support is crucial...

As we navigate an uncertain 2025, with a new administration questioning press freedoms, the risks are clear: our ability to report freely is under threat.

Your tax-deductible donation enables us to dig deeper, delivering fearless investigative reporting and analysis that exposes the reality beneath the headlines — without compromise.

Now is the time to take action. Stand with our courageous journalists. Donate today to protect a free press, uphold democracy and uncover the stories that need to be told.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG