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Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) / POOR PEOPLE’S ARMY Press Release, For immediate release 8/20/24, Press Contacts: Lisa Gray-Garcia, 510-435-7500, Cheri Honkala, 215-869-4753 PPEHRCorg@gmail.com
Chicago Police Arrest Cheri Honkala For Peaceful Delivery Of Citizen’s Arrest at DNC
Poor People’s Army leader was released the next morning with misdemeanor charges
CHICAGO – Dozens of police officers wearing riot gear and holding batons surrounded Cheri Honkala as she tried to peacefully deliver a citizen's arrest to the Democratic Party for “crimes against humanity” at the United Center early Monday evening. After leading the Poor People’s Army March on the Democratic National Convention (DNC) with her baby in a stroller, she was handcuffed as she approached the heavily armed security perimeter near Damen Avenue and Washington Boulevard. Honkala was charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, then released and picked up early Tuesday morning by members of the Poor People’s Army.
The national group, led by poor and homeless people, arrived in Chicago after marching 91 miles from Milwaukee’s Republican National Convention in July, where they attempted to deliver a citizen’s arrest to Republican leaders.
Outside the DNC, Honkala held a large poster of the citizen’s arrest to the Democratic Party and said “Poor men, women, and children are having their lives and limbs lost from expensive bombs provided by the Democratic Party while poor people’s lives are being lost to the preventable human rights violations here at home.”
“We have a justifiable reason to issue an arrest for this horrific violence being perpetrated by the criminals right over there,” said Honkala, pointing to the United Center in the background. One police officer could be heard shouting, “She’s walking up on us!” as justification for why they surrounded her with batons out.
“They had these batons out and were fully armed for nothing, against a mom and a grandmom, who had a citizen’s arrest for the Democratic Party on stolen public land,” said Lisa “Tiny” Gray-Garcia (aka PovertySkola) of Poor Magazine. “Think of the amount of homes they could build from all the public money paid to police to arrest a peaceful woman standing up for humanity.” The Chicago Police Department received $75million in funds to police the DNC.
Poor People’s Army won a permit, ordered by an administrative judge in February, due to a mistake by the city of Chicago for a missed deadline in response to the permit application. The original application, deemed granted by law, allowed them to march from Humboldt Park to the front steps of the United Center. But in the days and weeks leading up to the March, the city tried to get the group to change their route. As the group held their peaceful 48-hour vigil in Humboldt Park, they were harassed and threatened repeatedly by Chicago Police, including threats to report families there to child protective services.
On the day of the March, police blocked some streets listed on the original permit application. A smaller group of leaders of the Poor People’s Army broke away from the larger march to find their way closer to the United Center, as the main march continued with hundreds of police escorts. Honkala reached a security checkpoint through which Harris and Biden motorcades had reportedly just passed through. Honkala tried repeatedly to calmly walk past the officers to deliver the citizen’s arrest before she was arrested. She was put in a police wagon, where she stayed handcuffed for hours, before being taken to a police station for processing.
“The law mandates citation and release at the scene for a city charge for disorderly conduct. It was excessive to hold Honkala for hours in police custody and attempt to interrogate her,” said Amanda Yarusso, attorney representing Poor People’s Army through the National Lawyers Guild Chicago. “We hope the City will dismiss the charge, but based on the city’s law department fully prosecuting other cases stemming from protests we expect they will do the same here. The City’s approach is in contrast to the Cook County State’s Attorney who has a policy of not prosecuting charges such as this, in the context of peaceful protest.”
Poor People’s Army and allies will regroup at a national gathering in Philadelphia around International Human Rights Day this December.
About Poor People’s Army:
For three decades, The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign/Poor People’s Army has been organizing poor and homeless people by “reclaiming the basic necessities of life” with free food distribution and housing takeovers of abandoned government-owned properties. They have released the book, Takeover! A Human Rights Approach to Housing. https://www.poorpeoplesarmy.org/
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Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) / POOR PEOPLE’S ARMY Press Release, For immediate release August 16, 2024. Press Contacts: Leela de Paula, 413-270-2087 Cheri Honkala, 215-869-4753. PPEHRCorg@gmail.com
Poor People’s Army to Set Up “GrantsPassville” Encampment in Humboldt Park
Panel of Formerly Homeless Mothers will Speak to Press
CHICAGO – On Saturday, August 17 at 1 p.m., the Poor People’s Army will conclude their 90-mile march from Milwaukee to Chicago in Humboldt Park. The national group–which has a permit to march from the park to the United Center on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC)–will be setting up an encampment they are calling “GrantsPassville,” after the recent Supreme Court decision that allows for the criminalization of homelessness. Press and the public are invited to join them near the Puerto Rico Flag West at the southeast corner of Humboldt Park to watch the construction of their encampment, complete with tents, signs, and banners. Audiences will hear from a panel of formerly homeless mothers who have previously lived in Poor People’s Army tent cities and “takeover” houses. The event will also be livestreamed at https://www.instagram.com/ppehrc.
Poor People’s Army, also known as Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, has been organizing marches on the opening day of Republican and Democratic National Conventions for decades. They are a group led by homeless and formerly homeless people, with a mission to unite the poor across color lines as the leadership base for a broad movement to abolish poverty everywhere and forever.
“It’s fitting to be in this historically Puerto Rican community and marching from here to the gates of the DNC,” says Tara Colon, a formerly homeless mother in the Poor People’s Army. “Many of us are Puerto Rican and we led a historic march to the DC offices of HUD when they were failing to protect our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters after Hurricane Maria in 2017. And now we have to stand together again to demand the government respond swiftly to damages from Hurricane Ernesto.”
About Poor People’s Army:
For three decades, The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign / Poor People’s Army has been organizing poor and homeless people by “reclaiming the basic necessities of life” with free food distribution and housing takeovers of abandoned government-owned properties. Last month, they released the book, Takeover! A Human Rights Approach to Housing. https://www.poorpeoplesarmy.org/
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Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) / POOR PEOPLE’S ARMY Press Release, For immediate release August 12, 2024. Press Contacts: Leela de Paula, 413-270-2087 Cheri Honkala, 215-869-4753. PPEHRCorg@gmail.com
City Pressures Permitted Marchers to Stay Away from DNC Site
CHICAGO - The Poor People’s Army, a national group of self-organized poor and homeless people with a 30-year history of staging nonviolent protests, are facing pressure from Chicago city officials to stay away from the Democratic National Convention. Despite this, the organization will be continuing with their plan to march on the convention, being the only organization with a permit to march, due to a city mistake. The march will begin at Humboldt Park on August 19th at 4 p.m. CST with numerous high profile speakers such as Jill Stein, Cornel West, and Pam Africa, and end at the gates of the United Center.
The group began a two-week, 90 mile march on August 3rd from Milwaukee to Chicago, to raise awareness on extreme poverty and human rights violations in the U.S., centering nonviolence and the right to protest in their efforts. According to the group, national issues such as lack of housing, health care, and access to food are connected to the struggles that poor people face internationally, such as the ongoing genocide in Palestine. The recent Grants Pass v. Johnson Supreme Court decision, which criminalizes homelessness and puts thousands of poor people at risk of incarceration, is a large focus of the group's march.
“We believe there is a higher law that everyone must follow, and that is the law of humanity,” says Galen Tyler, co-founder of the Poor People’s Army. “When thousands of people face threats of arrest every night for sleeping outside and bombs continue to drop in Gaza, the only option we have is to march.”
The two-week march is made up of families with young children, students from around the country, and people with various physical and mental disabilities. The group has asserted the importance of having political actions led by those directly affected by poverty and homelessness, being the only major march on the DNC doing so.
About Poor People’s Army:
For three decades, The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign / Poor People’s Army has been organizing poor and homeless people by “reclaiming the basic necessities of life” with free food distribution and housing takeovers of abandoned government-owned properties. Last month, they released the book, Takeover! A Human Rights Approach to Housing. https://www.poorpeoplesarmy.org/
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Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) / POOR PEOPLE’S ARMY Press Release, For immediate release August 11, 2024. Press Contacts: Leela de Paula, 413-270-2087 Cheri Honkala, 215-869-4753 PPEHRCorg@gmail.com
Internationally Recognized Human Rights Group Reaches Illinois On 90-Mile March
LAKE COUNTY, Ill. - Poor People’s Army, a group of self-organized poor and homeless people with a 30-year history, is marching from Milwaukee to Chicago to protest at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on August 19. After a week of marching, the group reached the state border of Illinois; 47 miles from the starting point. The two-week march is meant to highlight people in the U.S. experiencing poverty and basic human rights violations such as lack of housing, health care and access to food, connecting these issues with the struggles that poor people face internationally.
Central to the group’s focus is the Supreme Court decision, City of Grants Pass vs. Johnson, stating people experiencing homelessness can be arrested and fined for sleeping outside when there are no safe alternatives. Poor People’s Army, led by people who are homeless or formerly homeless themselves, is setting up encampments in different towns en route to Chicago. On the first night of the march, their encampment at Morgan Park in southern Milwaukee was swept by the police in the middle of the night.
“Poor and homeless people are being brutalized, with tents and encampments destroyed and bulldozed away from San Francisco to Philadelphia to Gaza and the West Bank,” said Poor People’s Army spokesperson, Cheri Honkala. “These preventable human rights violations are being committed by Democratic and Republican leaders alike.”
Honkala, leading the march with her young children, is an internationally recognized human rights advocate who has been the guest of governments and organizations across the world, including India, Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, Israel and Palestine. Honkala was recognized by Front Line USA as a “human rights defender.” She was granted asylum status by Ireland, recognizing the political persecution she faces as a human rights organizer in the U.S.
The Poor People’s Army has marched on Democratic and Republican National Conventions for decades. They were the only organization granted a permit to march on the DNCin Chicago, due to a city mistake. The City has been asking the group to change their plans, but confirms they will be marching from Humboldt Park to the gates of the United Center at 4 p.m. Aug. 19.
About Poor People’s Army:
For three decades, The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC)/Poor People’s Army has been organizing poor and homeless people by “reclaiming the basic necessities of life” with free food distribution and housing takeovers of abandoned government-owned properties. They have released the book, Takeover! A Human Rights Approach to Housing. https://www.poorpeoplesa
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For immediate release July 19, 2024 Press Contacts: Leela de Paula, 413-270-2087 Cheri Honkala, 215-869-4753 PPEHRCorg@gmail.com
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST CHERI HONKALA ARRESTED & ABUSED DURING RNC PROTEST
MILWAUKEE - The Co-founder of the Poor People’s Army, a group fighting to end poverty, was arrested Monday while the group peacefully marched with Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein and allies from King Park to gates of the Fiserv Forum where the Republican National Convention is being held.
While the convention ensues this week, millions of families and individuals across the country are facing issues of homelessness, hunger, debt, chronic joblessness, overdoses, and other preventable human rights abuses. During the march, Poor People’s Army Co-founder and spokesperson Cheri Honkala was arrested while attempting to cross a final military-style checkpoint entering the zone around the RNC.
The Poor People’s Army issued “citizen’s arrest” for the crimes against humanity committed by the Republican Party, according to the group.
“We march to hold those in power, in both corporate parties, accountable for crimes against humanity at home and abroad,” said Honkala. “As usual the authorities denied our permits and tried to discourage us from exercising our 1st Amendment rights, but we successfully and peacefully marched.”
Honkala has been arrested over 200 times for nonviolent civil disobedience. After this arrest, law enforcement took Honkala to the largest county correctional facility in the state, Community Reintegration Center, a jail 16 miles away from the Forum. After entering the facility, Honkala says she was led through a large hall with about 200 men in military uniforms staring at and making comments about her. Honkala was not given a phone call and not offered an opportunity to use a toilet. She was put into a cold holding cell and an industrial size fan was brought in to blow on her. When released, Honkala was driven to and dropped off at an unknown, industrial location during a storm by herself and was not given means to communicate with people searching for her. Honkala navigated the unfamiliar location in search of contact. Eventually, with help from strangers, she was able to call Poor People’s Army march coordinator Leela de Paula and co-founder Galen Tyler, and was found at 10 p.m. Monday night.
“Prior to the RNC, the National Lawyers Guild made several attempts to gain clarity on where protesters would be taken if arrested and how attorneys would be able to access their clients,” said Victor Forberger, a member of the Madison chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. “The city refused to share this information, putting protesters' rights at risk. Our attorneys were denied information about and access to Ms. Honkala by the Reintegration Center and every police district we spoke with. The manner in which she was released put her health and safety at risk.”
The Poor People’s Army likens action taken by law enforcement to an extrajudicial kidnapping and is in communication with lawyers regarding further legal action. No other members were arrested.
The group says it will not be intimidated and will return to Milwaukee with allies on August 3rd to begin a two week march to Chicago for the DNC. There, they plan to hold another “trial” to determine whether a citizen's arrest should be issued to the Democrats as well.
About Poor People’s Army:
The Poor People’s Army is a nonviolent army of poor and working people, led by poor people, fighting for our survival by any means necessary. For three decades, The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC)/Poor People’s Army has been “reclaiming the basic necessities of life” with free food distribution and housing takeovers of abandoned government-owned properties. They have a forthcoming book, Takeover! A Human Rights Approach to Housing. https://www.poorpeoplesarmy.org
The Poor People’s Army applied for a special event permit in Milwaukee in October of 2023. They did not hear back from the city until the end of June, with an email saying “the Department of Public Works is not accepting applications for special events within an area” near the RNC. They provided a link to apply for “a parade permit and speakers platform registration form” that would have put them in a lottery to speak at a slot and place determined by the city.
“One of the last things we have as poor people in this country is our voice, and we won’t let them take that away from us,” said Cheri Honkala, the Poor People’s Army’s national spokesperson. “The city was trying to pen us in and tell us when and how we could speak out about the injustices occurring. That’s not what the First Amendment is about.”
About the Poor People’s Army:
The Poor People’s Army is a nonviolent Army of poor and working people, led by poor people, fighting for our survival by any means necessary. For three decades, they have been “reclaiming the basic necessities of life” with free food distribution and housing takeovers of abandoned government-owned properties. They have a forthcoming book, Takeover! A Human Rights Approach to Housing. For more info, press updates, and graphics go to https://www.poorpeoplesarmy.org/
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For immediate release
July 14, 2024
Press Contacts: Leela de Paula, 413-270-2087
Cheri Honkala, 215-869-4753
Poor People’s Army Sets Up “GRANTSPASSVILLE” Encampment at King Park On Eve of Republican National Convention
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Tonight, the Poor People’s Army (also known as the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign) will be setting up a “GRANTSPASSVILLE” encampment at King Park in advance of their march on the opening day of the Republican National Convention (RNC). They will be marching from King Park to the Fiserv Forum on July 15 at 4 p.m.
Every election year, the Poor People’s Army sets up “Hooverville”-style encampments, protesting the two-party political system and politicians who put corporate greed before human need. With the recent Grants Pass v. Johnson Supreme Court decision, the Poor People’s Army aims to center stories of people experiencing homelessness. The Poor People’s Army is marching on the RNC and DNC to raise awareness around issues that poor and homeless people are facing in this country, and plan to hold a mock “trial” to determine if the Republican and Democratic Party is guilty of crimes against humanity. August 3, the group will start marching 100 miles south to Chicago, where they will have the only permitted march on the Democratic National Convention. Thirty-plus organizations from across the country have endorsed the Poor People’s Army marches.
Poor People’s Army To March on the Republican National Convention, With or Without Permit
For immediate release
July 11, 2024
Press Contacts: Leela de Paula, 413-270-2087 / Cheri Honkala, 215-869-4753, PPEHRCorg@gmail.com.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – On July 15 at 4 p.m., during the opening day of the Republican National Convention (RNC), the Poor People’s Army will be marching from King Park towards the Fiserv Forum. They are marching to raise awareness around issues that poor and homeless people are facing in this country, and plan to hold a mock “trial” to determine if the Republican Party is guilty of crimes against humanity. With the recent Grants Pass v. Johnson Supreme Court decision, the Poor People’s Army aims to center stories of people experiencing homelessness. August 3, the group will start marching 100 miles south to Chicago, where they will have similar events as the only permitted march on the Democratic National Convention. Thirty-plus organizations from across the country have endorsed the Poor People’s Army marches.
The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (aka Poor People’s Army) applied for a special event permit in Milwaukee in October of 2023. They did not hear back from the city until the end of June, with an email saying “the Department of Public Works is not accepting applications for special events within an area” near the RNC. They provided a link to apply for “a parade permit and speakers platform registration form” that would have put them in a lottery to speak at a slot and place determined by the city.
“One of the last things we have as poor people in this country is our voice, and we won’t let them take that away from us,” said Cheri Honkala, the Poor People’s Army’s national spokesperson. “The city was trying to pen us in and tell us when and how we could speak out about the injustices occurring. That’s not what the First Amendment is about.”
This year, the Poor People’s Army will not only protest the RNC and DNC, but will also join with local groups to hold their own “People’s 1st Convention” in Milwaukee on July 13 and 14. The goal is to provide voter education and alternative electoral choices to people that are fed up with the two-party system. Since 2000, the Poor People’s Army has been building unity of poor and working people with marches on opening day of RNC and DNC as an effort to build unity.
About Poor People’s Army:
The Poor People’s Army is a nonviolent Army of poor and working people, led by poor people, fighting for our survival by any means necessary. For three decades, they have been “reclaiming the basic necessities of life” with free food distribution and housing takeovers of abandoned government-owned properties. They have a forthcoming book, Takeover! A Human Rights Approach to Housing. For more info, press updates, and graphics go to https://www.poorpeoplesarmy.org/
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RNC March Route
World Renowned Housing Activist Visits Chicago in Lead-Up to the Only Permitted March on the Democratic National Convention
MAY 24, 2024 | Members of the press are invited to hear the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign / Poor People’s Army speak at a kick-off event and press conference at Haymarket House on May 25th at 1 pm, including founder Cheri Honkala, who has been taking over abandoned government-owned properties for 30+ years.The Poor People’s Army will be giving an update on our plans for both the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago. Due to a legal error by the City of Chicago, Poor People’s Army is the only march granted a permit for the DNC in Chicago.
WHAT: March Kick-Off Press Conference about 2024 Poor People’s Army March
WHERE: Haymarket House, 800 W Buena Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
WHEN: Saturday, May 25th, at 1pm CT
WHO:
● Cheri Honkala, National Coordinator, Poor People’s Army
● Sedan “Suliman” Smith, Youth Organizer, All Of Us or None
● Minister Caliph Muab’el, Founder, Breaking Barriers Mentoring Inc.
● Jake Hansbury, Chair, White Panther’s Party
● And other members of Poor People’s Army
The Poor People’s Army is a nonviolent ARMY of poor & working people, led by poor people, fighting for our survival by any means necessary. For 3 decades, The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign / Poor People’s Army has been reclaiming the basic necessities of life – with free food distribution & housing takeovers of abandoned properties. They have a book forthcoming on housing takeovers, titled TAKEOVER! A Human Rights Approach to Housing.
October 2023: Kensington Group Plans March on 2024 Republican and Democratic National Conventions
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For more info: https://www.poorpeoplesarmy.org/field...
1:06 ● Cheri Honkala, National Coordinator, Poor People’s Army (PPA)
6:33 ● Kwame Shakur, Second Rainbow Coalition
FL 11:38 ● Tara Colon, PPA Haines City,
FL 16:42 ● Rosa Richards, PPA Athol, MA
18:40 ● Brian, Young Lords, Chicago, IL
20:22 ● Hy Thurman, North Alabama School for Organizers, Huntsville, AL
28:21 ● Barbara Dahlgren, PPA Milwaukee, WI
32:44 ● Pastor Keith Collins, Church of the Overcomer, DelCo, PA
37:23 ● Cuetlachtli Xolotl, La Mesa National de Brown Berets, Chicago, IL
42:31 ● Lisa "Tiny" Gray-Garcia, Poor Magazine, CA
45:56 ● Paul Grubb, Union Organizer, Philly, PA
50:34 ● Shamako Noble, PPA Bay Area, CA
In our quest for a transformed, inclusive, and peaceful USA, a resounding call to march has emerged. We march against the forces that oppress us, aiming to forge a united front from coast to coast. The Democratic and Republican parties serve corporate interests, and thus we will march at the 2024 Republican and Democratic National Conventions. The organization is holding a press conference to outline the details of the march and share how other organizations and individuals can get involved in our mission and contribute to the national fight for economic human rights.
POOR PEOPLE’S ARMY | Press Release
For immediate release,
Contact: Cheri Honkala, 215-869-4753
poorpeoplesarmymarch@gmail.com
Kensington Group Plans March on 2024 Republican and Democratic National Conventions
In our quest for a transformed, inclusive, and peaceful USA, a resounding call to march has emerged. We march against the forces that oppress us, aiming to forge a united front from coast to coast. The Democratic and Republican parties serve corporate interests, and thus we will march at the 2024 Republican and Democratic National Conventions. The organization is holding a press conference to outline the details of the march and share how other organizations and individuals can get involved in our mission and contribute to the national fight for economic human rights.
WHAT: Press Conference about 2024 Poor People’s Army March
WHERE: Virtual Meeting on Zoom | bit.ly/poorpeoplesarmyzoom
WHEN: Wednesday, October 25th, at 2pm EST
WHO/VISUALS:
Cheri Honkala, National Coordinator, Poor People’s Army (PPA)
Pastor Keith Collins, Church of the Overcomer, DelCo, PA
Shamako Noble, PPA Bay Area, CA
A representative from Young Lords, Chicago IL
A representative from Brown Berets, Chicago IL
Barbara Maniotis, PPA Milwaukee, WI
Kwame Shakur, Second Rainbow Coalition, Indianapolis, IN
Tara Colon, PPA Haines City, FL
Hy Thurman, North Alabama School for Organizers, Huntsville, AL
Rosa Richards, PPA Athol, MA
El Grupo Kensington planea marchar en las Convenciones Nacionales Republicanas y Demócratas de 2024
En nuestra búsqueda de un EE. UU. transformado, inclusivo y pacífico, ha surgido un rotundo llamado a la marcha. Marchamos contra las fuerzas que nos oprimen, con el objetivo de forjar un frente unido de costa a costa. Los partidos demócrata y republicano sirven a los intereses corporativos y, por lo tanto, marcharemos en las Convenciones Nacionales Republicana y Demócrata de 2024. La organización está celebrando una conferencia de prensa para esbozar los detalles de la marcha y compartir cómo otras organizaciones e individuos pueden involucrarse en nuestra misión y contribuir a la lucha nacional por los derechos humanos y económicos.
QUÉ: Conferencia de prensa sobre la Marcha del Ejército Popular de los Pobres de 2024
DÓNDE: Reunión virtual en Zoom | bit.ly/poorpeoplesarmyzoom
CUÁNDO: Miércoles 25 de octubre, a las 2 p. m. EST
EST QUIÉN/VISUALES:
● Cheri Honkala, Coordinadora Nacional del Ejército Popular Pobre (PPA)
● Pastor Keith Collins, Church of the Overcomer, DelCo, PA
● Shamako Noble, Área de la Bahía PPA, CA
● Un representante de Young Lords, Chicago IL
● Un representante de Brown Berets, Chicago IL
● Barbara Maniotis, PPA Milwaukee, WI
● Kwame Shakur, Second Rainbow Coalition, Indianápolis, IN
● Tara Colon, PPA Haines City, FL
● Hy Thurman, Escuela para Organizadores del Norte de Alabama, Huntsville, AL
● Rosa Richards, PPA Athol, MA
3074 Kensington Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19134
(215) 869-4753
PPEHRCorg@gmail.com