The Poor People’s Campaign: Protesting a Country That Values Killing Over Caring (Photo Essay)

Week 3 of the Poor Peoples Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival. This week’s theme calls for moral dissent and moral vision in the face of the war economy and the proliferation of gun violence. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

The Rev. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, an evangelical minister and member of the steering committee for the Poor People’s Campaign. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

“The GOP are giving unnecessary tax cuts to the greedy and the wealthy and are more interested in arresting voters than they are in banning assault weapons.” — The Rev. William Barber II. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

A 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran, who has lost six family members to gun violence, calls for an immediate policy change on gun laws. Members of Veterans for Peace spoke at the protest regarding the reduction of military spending and their plans to “resist Trump’s military parade,” which is planned for November. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

“When you value killing people more than you value caring for the people in this country, then your values have gone astray.” —The Rev. Dr Justin Osterman, veteran. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

The Rev. Barber leads approximately 250 advocates to the North Carolina Legislative Office Building. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

Outside the North Carolina Legislative Office Building. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

Officers approached activists and simply asked if they wanted to be arrested. Many began a litany of reasons why they were there, to challenge the war economy, militarism and gun violence. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

The obligatory warnings. The officers said, “There have been noise complaints.” (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

Activists chanted and sang outside the Senate/House Committee where an open meeting on the North Carolina budget was taking place. The Republicans said no amendments would happen on the floor. This would be the only time for the public to participate in the process. Although some were able to gain entry, most could not get in. Arrests inside and outside the committee room began shortly thereafter. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

A handful of activists were able to get inside the public forum on the North Carolina budget meeting. They were promptly taken out and arrested. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

Eric Johnson was arrested “in solidarity with the Poor People’s Campaign.” Johnson kept knocking on the committee room door, asking to be let in and take one of the empty seats. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

“We need to provide adequate medical care for everyone, regardless of income.” —Katherine Freeman, MD. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

Activist Lin Fors, from Charlotte, N.C., entered the committee room and began speaking to her representatives, “… telling them what my priorities are. Helping the poor. Not war.” (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

“Did you know that 53 cents of every federal discretionary dollar goes to military spending and only 15 cents is spent on anti-poverty programs.” —Poor People’s Campaign Agenda. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

“The truth is that instead of waging War on Poverty, we have been waging a War on the Poor, at home and abroad, for the financial ​benefit of a few.” — Poor People’s Campaign Agenda.(Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

A “military mom” is arrested. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

As many of the arrestees we’re escorted out, the chant of “Thank you, we love you!” echoed all the way down the hall until they were taken into the elevator. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)

Collective strength. Common goals. (Michael Nigro / Truthdig)