Rachel Shivers
Template:TOCnestleft Rachel Shivers
Kansas Poor People's Campaign
Two dozen people were issued citations cica may 13 2018, after engaging in an act of civil disobedience at 9th and Topeka Blvd.
The protest was part of actions by the Poor People’s Campaign, a nonviolent group that united across the state to mobilize voters and deliver hope to people in poverty.
Around 3 p.m., a group of protesters began blocking the middle of the intersection and the entrance to the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, 835 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
Organizer Rachel Shivers said they chose the Kansas Chamber as a location to resist the oppressive power of the Koch Brothers, a large corporation that is a member of the chamber. Some participants were prepared to be arrested in an act of civil disobedience conducted to start a conversation on poverty, health care and other issues.
Shivers said they were protesting to create a “moral narrative that our nation’s responsibility is to take care of its people as a top priority.”
Durrell Gilmore said he was involved because he believes in a living wage and supports a state expansion of Medicaid.
Mary Akerstrom said income inequality is “unacceptable in our nation.” She said activists have worked for several years in a “calm, professional way,” to advance a bill on increasing the state’s minimum wage.
“They aren’t listening,” Akerstrom said of the Kansas Legislature. “So we are rocking the boat.”
Thea Nietfield said she was willing to get a citation because it was important to oppose poverty, racism, environmental degradation and militarization.
The event in the Capitol rotunda was part of a 30-state, six-week program known as the Poor People’s Campaign. Conclusion of the 40-day effort tackling a broad agenda includes a rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.Topeka Capital-Journal, Two dozen issued citations after protest in downtown TopekaBy Katie Moore Posted May 14, 2018 at 4:19 PM]]