More than 50 people marched down McCallie Avenue to Miller Park on Friday and then peacefully walked to the steps of City Hall to post a manifesto calling on economic rights for poor people.
The Poor People’s March was the first of its kind in Chattanooga as organizers tried to bring attention to homelessness and poverty in the city.
“The ultimate goal is to end poverty,” said Mary Bricker-Jenkins, a Chattanooga resident and member of the Chattanooga and North Georgia Economic Human Rights Campaign. The group organized the march across downtown Chattanooga.
The group, which started just a few months ago at the Community Kitchen, is affiliated with the national Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, Ms. Bricker-Jenkins said.
Homeless people, volunteers, teenagers and a small group of Gregorian friars walked along McCallie Avenue at 5 p.m. led by a bagpipe player in a Scottish kilt. The group of marchers held signs, some saying “Homelessness is not a crime” or “We’re all homeless.”
Ali Rudolph, 24, moved here in August with her husband from Oregon, she said. Both are homeless, but he was gone Friday to the Military Entrance Processing Station in Knoxville to join the Tennessee Army National Guard, Mrs. Rudolph said.
She marched in solidarity with others like her, she said.
“It is for a good cause,” Mrs. Rudolph said. “A lot of us out here don’t get treated the way we should.”
The group ate dinner at Miller Park and then proceeded to City Hall, where they taped a copy of the “Poor People’s Manifesto” on the door. Brother Ron Fender, a local Gregorian friar, told marchers he asked City Council members Tuesday to come on the march.
None showed, he said.
“We want them to have a reminder we were here,” he said.
Several marchers shared different reasons for marching. Amanda Wheelock, a 16-year-old Ringgold, Ga., girl, said just a few days ago she met a homeless man on Walnut Street Bridge who used to be a doctor. She said a few minutes later, while he was eating a sandwich, the police shooed him away.
“That’s why I’m here,” she said. “I can’t see why he can’t sit there and eat his sandwich.”
Elizabeth Wray, an 18-year-old Chattanooga resident and member of the human rights group, said her brother died two years ago homeless. Marching for her is “personal, not political,” she said.
She said sometimes people in Chattanooga take for granted what they have. The reward Friday night was everyone blending together, she said.
“It’s really a beautiful thing to see people merge,” Ms. Wray said.
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After the bailout, these groups can kiss any help goodbye...the golden goose tax money is gone. It was used to bail out the Wall Street bankers to the tune of $700,000,000,000 [and change].
It appears that some of the marchers have eaten more than their "fair" share of food. Obese religious figures asking "others" to give food to the homeless--that's funny.
Too bad the Pied Piper didn't keep marching all the "homeless" to Friar Tuck's monastery. But talk is cheap, isn't it?
How many marchers, living in their comfortable homes with plenty to eat, took home those "homeless and poverty-stricken" to live with them?
Harry Statel
I don't think raising awareness about poverty necessarily equals "looking for a handout." Investing in education and health care, for example, can affect poverty and pertain to us all. This gets to Biden's question/statement re: our faltering sense of solidarity- do we have a duty to our country to pay more in taxes? BTW at least one person provide housing for a poor person, my mom! Finally, obesity is an issue in the poor community b/c of the diet dispropoprtionately consumed by poor folks. To assume someone is doing ok b/c they are fat is a serious mistake.
The marchers are wasting their time. Everyone knows about poverty, for it has been the focus of the overall Chattanooga "blue collar class" economy to seek new corporations to rescue the impoverished city of Chattanooga.
I can't wait to see combination of poverty and crime, on how it is going to frustrate our German friends that are moving here.
I will answer Sen Biden's conjecture of a supposed duty to pay more taxes to help the poor. There is no such duty other than that which is self-imposed. This is known as free will.
Anyone who cares enough about the poor and under-educated can voluntarily pay more taxes now without waiting for the IRS. All they need do is simply increase their monthly tax deduction or Quarterly Estimate. Then don't request a refund.
Bingo. They have helped the poor; they have also put their money where their mouth is and demonstrated their sincerity.
Those of us who have a different approach to the problem will then be free to find their own solutions.
With few exceptions, obesity is directly related to the amount of food one eats and inversely related to the exercise. More calories plus less exercise equals more fat...which costs more money.
This "eat more, get fat; exercise more, get skinny" holds true regardless of the types of food eaten. Fast-food fattens, yes -- so eat less of it...you won't starve. Or get out and walk a bit if you can...anything to burn the excess calories.
Summary: obese people marching to support the poor is like the pope/bishop/friar [or any emperor/president/minister/leader] dressed in $5,000 suits/gowns demanding more money for the poor. Charity begins at home.
The "obese friar tuck" that Mr. Statel so mocking referred to is an Episcopalian Monk name Bro. Ron Fender.
Brother Ron has taken a vow of poverty and owns very little more than the clothes on his back. He lives in the same shelter with the homeless he ministers to (in the basement of 2nd Presbyterian) and volunteers at the community kitchen (who feeds him).
What little money he earns as the shelter director (which I think is less than $200 a month), Brother Ron Fender typically gives to others.
The really funny thing is Mr. Statel, Bro Ron would immediately forgiven you careless and ignorant remarks...because he is a true servant of others and always looks for the good in all men.
How about you spend a night down the homeless shelter with Bro Ron...or go serve a meal with him at the community kitchen. Maybe it might to melt your cold and sarcastic heart.