PHILADELPHIA − April 2, 2019 – As a tribute to the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight for poor and working people, Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) is leading members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus in the launch of a 30-day campaign to address poverty and economic insecurity in the commonwealth.

MLK Day of ActionSen. Hughes will be joined by Sen. Art Haywood, Sen. Lindsey Williams and others, kicking off the Call to Action on the Crisis of Poverty and Economic Insecurity, April 4, which is the 51st anniversary of King’s assassination in Memphis, Tennessee. Members of the Senate Democrats will also host events in Pittsburgh, Reading and Scranton announcing the call to action as tribute to King’s fight.

The statewide Call to Action on the Crisis of Poverty and Economic Insecurity will to examine 30 issues related to poverty and economic security that the Senate Democrats are working on this legislative session. Each piece of legislation, whether it is a minimum wage increase or better access to affordable childcare, is intended to help improve conditions for Pennsylvania’s impoverished communities.

King’s legacy helped spark the flame for the campaign, with members finding parallels between poverty issues of today and those when he fought to bring economic justice to the U.S. The civil rights leader had traveled to Memphis to support the Sanitation Workers’ strike and was in the midst of launching the Poor People’s campaign nationally at the time of his assassination.

For more information about the call to action, including a list of events during the 30-day campaign, visit PAsenate.com/MLKLegacy.

WHEN: 10 a.m., Thursday, April 4

WHERE: Martin Luther King Jr. Mural, 4000 Lancaster Avenue (Following the tour, the senators will go to Chosen 300, 3959 Lancaster Street, for a brief worship service and for homeless outreach.)

WHO: Sens. Hughes, Haywood, and Lindsey Williams, representatives from POWER Interfaith, UNITE HERE, SEIU 32BJ, We The People Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Urban League and other guests.

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