Bishop Barber leads march dedicated to lives lost to poverty, urges voting for change

The objective: Mobilize impoverished and low-income North Carolinians and rally them towards the polling stations.

On Saturday, resonant speeches reverberated across the city, proclaiming poverty's unnecessary nature.

Pastors, farm workers and activists—up to 5,000 individuals, as estimated by organizers—all participated in the Moral March on Raleigh.

"Today marks a solemn assembly dedicated to the 800 people who will succumb to poverty and low wages," said Bishop Barber.

This event is a collaborative effort involving various groups, notably the Poor People's Campaign of NC.

The overarching message emphasized leveraging one's voice and vote.

"Having won it, we should wield it," Barber said.

Starting at 10 a.m., the event saw a surge of people grabbing signs and lining up, moving from Fayetteville Street all the way to Bicentennial Plaza.

The urgency of the moment resonated with many marchers, including Karen Ziegler.

"As a retired nurse, I've witnessed firsthand how people in extreme poverty live right here in the Triangle," Ziegler said. "And I know it's life-threatening."

The event united campaigners, advocating for a $15 minimum wage, healthcare for all and workers' rights.

"Before COVID, they were service workers," Barber said. "During COVID, they're essential workers. You're essential, but not essential enough to have a living wage, paid family leave, or healthcare."

Organizers hope this message will reverberate at the ballot box Tuesday.