Thread by @jackmjenkins

At a faith-led protest march to the White House, led by Rev. William Barber and other participants in the Poor People’s Campaign.

It’s almost entirely clergy or leaders from different faiths, walking in silence and stretching 2+ city blocks.

Also mayor Pete Buttigieg is here?

Yeah Pete Buttigieg is definitely here to participate in the protest.

Oh wow. They’re now clearing the park of people — where the protest is supposed to happen — “at the request of the United States Secret Service,” per a Park Ranger.

Mayor Pete just chillin outside the park now.

A Secret Service agent told me there wasn’t a threat, so unclear why the park was closed.

Rev. Jacqui Lewis just shook Pete’s hand, noted the LGBTQ people in her congregation, and thanked him. Said he’s her “favorite candidate” for “all the things you’re saying.”

Lewis then gave him her card. Networking is a constant in DC

Rev. Barber walked in, thanked Pete, then asked him to move into the crowd so the clergy can speak.

Shofars are being sounded.

Mayor Pete has remained silent this entire time.

“I come before you today to say that America is not well!” — Rev. Traci Blackmon, going on to discuss issues of health care in the United States

It is very clear that Rev. Barber is going to let all the clergy speakers talk first before letting Mayor Pete speak, assuming he’ll speak at all.

Barber now insisting that this gathering is not about “liberal and conservative,” or “Republican vs Democrat,” but about “right vs. wrong.”

The days clergy are there to “issue a mora indictment...against this (Trump) administration.”

“It is our time to stand up publicly.”

Mayor Pete just left, but the protest continues.

I’m told by officials he was here to bear “silent witness,” not to campaign.

Latest speaker — who identifies as an Palestinian American Quaker — discussing immigration, condemning detention centers.

People chant “shut it down!”

Next speaker (sorry, missed his name too), condemning attempts to change the U.S. Census, comparing them to when black people@wete counted as 3/5ths of a person.

Also, they just re-opened up the park.

Another speaker on healthcare, now on stage in front of the White House.

“If health is wealth, we are poverty-stricken,” she says.

I *believe* this is Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, head of the United Church of Christ, speaking about climate change.

Discussing “environmental racism,” condemning Keystone XL pipeline. Says he stands w/water those in Standing Rock.

This protest is is *all about* intersectionality

Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid of the Muslim Alliance of North America (I think I caught the name this time!) condemning Trump admin and discussing the 14th amendment.

“We call on the White House to repent for your evil designs of disempowerment of the poor.”

This speaker accuses Trump of using “children as pawns,” referencing child detention at the U.S.-Mexico border. (If they introduced her, I missed it. Check my eventual article for more details.)

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove is up, says “values language is being co-opted,” and “we need a revolution of values.”

Rabbi reving up the crowd saying “children belong in schools, not in cages.” Refences the 5th commandment to honor parents.

Points at White House: “I’m not tired! We’re not tired! We can do this every day!”

Crowd full of preachers goes nuts.

A rep from @NETWORKLobby, a Catholic social justice lobby, declares that healthcare is a fundamental human right.

“President Trump is engaged in a war on American healthcare.”

She (Laura Peralta-Schulte) adds: “we know Satan when we see it.”

Followed by Rabbi Jonah Pesner, discusses the census.

“This demonization of the immigrant, of the refugee, is a symptom of the continued rise of white nationalism ... bigoted rhetoric turns into racist policy.”

Liz Theoharis, quoting scripture: “Doom to you who legislate evil.” (Isaiah 10)

Folks who are willing to risk arrest while protesting today are now lining up. Crowd applauds and shouts “thank you!”

Walking toward the White House now.

“Do what is right, what us just, and stop the violence!” Barber chants

Whole crowd shouting at the White House now, because the Secret Service has cut off the potential for protest, gating off access. “You administration is under indictment! ... Your court chaplains are under indictment!”

Barber adds: “They cannot close down the voice of justice!”

Note: I’ve covered lots of DC protests, but haven’t seen them gate off access to the front of the White House like this often.

This seems unusual.

Barber asks if they will open gate.

Officer: “Not right now.”

Barber and the crowd: “What time?”

Barber now asks if he can deliver a petition to the gate.

Officer doesn’t no, goes to ask someone else.

Awkward wait while officers confer, Barber leads the group in a hymn.

“Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around...ain’t gonna let no president turn me around.”

Barber: “They don’t want the news to see us arrested.”

Demonstrator now taping the petition to the gate.

Rabbi addresses police directly, says any crime they commit by protesting would be “far less than the crimes against Americans and against all human beings” than the Trump administration.

Asks them to “look into your hearts.”

Rabbi asks those present to “remember who you are.”

People begin chanting “remember!”

Barber just proposed doing the protest again at a later date.

Says if they the put up a gate again, they’ll “take the streets.”

Protest winding down now. Gonna go file.

UPDATE: My story on the protest —> religionnews.com/2019/06/12/boi…