Poor People's Campaign

Poor People's Campaign 1968

CAUSE: Continuing his non-violent campaign of direct action, King spoke out about the extent of inequality in American society and lack of opportunity for all poor people, black and white. He criticised the whole capitalist system and became an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, pointing out that "the US spent half a million dollars to kill an enemy soldier in Vietnam but only 35 dollars to help a poor American".

EFFECT: This started the Poor People's Campaign in which King planned a massive demonstration in Washington, DC. The campaign would incorporate the poor, black and white, urban and rural, setting up a camp in the middle of the capital. The aim was to pressurise congress into giving 30 billion dollars of federal funds to economically depressed areas.