By Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer

Activist Faye Wilson-Kennedy of Sacramento’s Poor People’s Campaign, speaks at the “Moral Monday” event in front of the Robert Matsui Federal Courthouse. Russell Stiger Jr., OBSERVER
Activist Faye Wilson-Kennedy of Sacramento’s Poor People’s Campaign, speaks at the “Moral Monday” event  in front of the Robert Matsui Federal Courthouse. Russell Stiger Jr., OBSERVER

The Sacramento chapter of the Poor People’s Campaign launched a series of “Moral Monday” protests this week, denouncing proposed federal budget cuts and calling on lawmakers to protect vulnerable communities from what organizers describe as immoral policy decisions.

The first protest took place June 9 outside the Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse in downtown Sacramento. It focused on legislation that would slash Medicaid, food assistance, and the child tax credit, programs that organizers say form the backbone of the nation’s social safety net.

“It’s becoming a war against the people who need help the most,” said Satearah Murphy, who spoke about her father’s reliance on Social Security and her own experience with homelessness.

Other speakers included civil rights attorney Mark Merin, student advocates, and members of local homelessness coalitions, all echoing a common message: much of the country’s priorities are immoral. They argue that while wealthy and large corporations continue to profit, poor and working-class Americans are being left behind.

Local unhoused activist Satearah Murphy speaks at the Poor People’s Campaign's “Moral Monday,” which addressed adding social services needed to support the community. Russell Stiger Jr., OBSERVER
Local unhoused activist Satearah Murphy speaks at the Poor People’s Campaign’s “Moral Monday,” which addressed adding social services needed to support the community. Russell Stiger Jr., OBSERVER

Moral Mondays originated in North Carolina in 2013 as a wave of nonviolent protests led by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II and the North Carolina NAACP. The movement was a response to state policies that activists said harmed poor and marginalized communities. Since then, the Moral Mondays movement has spread nationwide, centering on the belief that moral issues such as poverty, racism, ecological devastation, and militarism must shape public policy.

Currently, cities across the country are holding their own Moral Monday protests in response to policies proposed by the Trump administration.

“We were tired of being silent and so we wanted to do our own Moral Mondays,” said activist Faye Kennedy, of Sacramento’s Poor People’s Campaign. “They need to really listen to people because believe it or not, all of us are going to be impacted.”

Monday’s protest was the first of three Moral Monday events planned for June. The next rally, on June 16, will focus on climate justice and protecting the planet. The final event June 23 spotlights immigration, civil rights, and solidarity with Palestine.