This is a moral issue; we all need to take a stand. This is a critical time for public education on issues the major parties refuse to address. The voices and struggles of the families and individuals attempting to survive are not being heard.

Last year’s march was exciting for several reasons. I would like to share some of them with you all now: As part of our historic March to Abolish Poverty this past spring, we not only challenged low-income people and the public who saw is as we marched across to state to actually embrace the idea of abolishing poverty completely in our life time, we who participated in the march were reminded of us that those who suggested we might abolish slavery were also told it was impossible. Highlights from 2004

In 14 days in 2005, The March reached hundreds in 25 of the lowest income Massachusetts communities. We lit fires where hopelessness had become a way of life for many. We held speak outs, marches, vigils, meals, hearings, rallies – over 33 events over 16 days ending in a full day of events in Boston – with everyone from anti-poverty, peace, labor, housing, women’s issues, universal health care, homeless, religious, hip hop, Latino, civil rights parts of the movement.

We generated over 30 press pieces reaching literally thousands more.

National outreach reaches G-8 meeting in Georgia

As low-income leaders we reached out to other anti-poverty activists in other states with materials and support. In national gatherings in Detroit and in New York, we spread this more fundamental focus for our movement and encouraged other states to organize marches to abolish poverty. George Friday spoke out about economic human rights abuses in the US at the huge protests outside the G-8 meeting in Georgia despite the temporary police state.

This year’s March will again provide local groups with the forum to highlight two or three major concerns of those living in poverty in the 29 towns / cities with the highest state childhood poverty rates. This March will bring people, press, visibility via the March website and resources to support local struggles.

We already have a national documentary film organization committed, international political music performers, national activists and more to come! One fundraising plan includes a "pledge-walk". Each walker will gather a number of pledges (see website to pledge). Half of the money raised will go to a local initiative that is empowering low-income folks in their work to change public policy.

Our proposed march route and dates for this summer is:

• Hyannis (6/17)

• Falmouth/ New Bedford (6/18)
• Fall River/ Taunton (6/19)
• Brockton/ Worcester (6/20)
• Southbridge/ Ware (6/21)
• Springfield/ Holyoke (6/22),
• S. Berkshires/ Pittsfield (6/23)
• N. Adams/ Greenfield (6/24
• Northampton/ Amherst (6/25)
• Montague/ Orange (6/26)
• Gardner/ Fitchburg (6/27),
• Lowell/ Lawrence (6/28)
• Salem/ Lynn (6/29)
• Chelsea (6/30)
• Somerville (7/1)
• Cambridge (7/2)
• Boston (7/3) * Final Protest (7/4)

We want you to get involved! Do you live in or near one of these communities? We are excited that local coalitions have already formed in most of these 29 communities. Join your local March planning coalition, check–out the website where there are many materials available for distribution: Brochures, endorsement forms, March schedule, etc.

For more information:

Lisa Richards @ Abolish Poverty March c/o EHRP 49 Francesca Avenue Somerville, MA 02144 617-776-3895 ext. 3 email: information@abolishpoverty.net website: www.abolishpoverty.net