We work to engage and train new community leaders to organize campaigns for racial, economic, environmental and social justice. Current programs serve the diverse needs of impoverished communities and address the root causes of injustice in Memphis and the Mid-South. We believe the most effective response to the challenge of violence and discrimination is to address the interrelated causes of injustice, such as poverty, racism and unequal access to basic human resources. We have worked throughout our history to take such action on issues identified as important by our community.
We believe that the basis of a truly democratic society is an engaged and informed electorate. One indicator of this engagement is voter turnout, which in Memphis has averaged between 17% and 62%, with the lowest turnout for local and the highest for presidential elections. People are disenfranchised and therefore disengaged from the political process, particularly in low-income and marginalized communities. But it is not just our communities that have disengaged; our elected officials themselves have disengaged from the democratic process. Simply put, whether looking at race or class, the interests and needs of low-income and marginalized communities are given little to no attention by those in power.
The Military Abroad
The U.S. military's presence abroad and at home is oftentimes accepted without question. Public interest in the military's role in the Middle East is waning, and public awareness of the military in our schools is all but nonexistent. The MSPJC seeks to change this through its anti-war work and the Alternatives to the Military Project.
Since the U.S.-Iraq Status Forces Agreement began t
he withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, many Americans have grown complacent about the presence of the United States military abroad. We must remember, though, that from 2003 to 2011, almost 4,500 troops were killed in Iraq according to the Iraq Index. By 2011, the number of troops in Afghanistan was three times higher than when Obama became president. Just as in Iraq, it is unknown how many civilians have died in Afghanistan, but the number is in the tens of thousands. From 2001 to 2011, over 1,700 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan and another 13,000 wounded.
The U.S. launched cruise missile and air strikes against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in March 2011—in direct violation of the Constitution and the War Powers Act. Additionally, the U.S. continues to launch air strikes in Yemen using unmanned Predator drones, an action that similarly contravenes the War Powers Act. The MSPJC seeks to enforce more responsibility on the government when it comes to deploying troops and putting lives at risk.
The federal government says affordable housing should take no more than 30 percent of a person's income. In reality, no one earning minimum wage in any state can afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent. In 1999, the national two-bedroom housing wage was $11.08; in 2011, the national housing wage was $18.46, a 66 percent increase. The lack of affordable housing is widely considered to be the main cause of homelessness in the United States today.
Homelessness is growing at an alarming rate locally and nationally, and many cities’ solution to the crisis is to criminalize poverty by passing constitutionally dubious laws crafted to harass the homeless. Sadly, Memphis is no exception to this. Such efforts are not only inhumane and immoral, but have been legally challenged as violations of the First, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. More to the point, these efforts are ineffective, counterproductive and fiscally irresponsible.
WHAT: Memphis Bus Rider's Union Kickoff
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 18th
LOCATION: AFSCME Union Hall, 485 Beale St.
TIME: 1pm-3pm-Meeting 3pm-Press Conference
MATA riders tired of high fares, overcrowded buses, and the lack of bus service at night in some neighborhoods are invited to join the Memphis Bus Riders Union, which will hold its founding meeting on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at the AFSCME Union Hall, 485 Beale St.
Following a well-attended town hall and several weeks of outreach to Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) customers, Transportation Task Force, a grassroots coalition dedicated to transportation issues announced plans for the creation of the Memphis Bus Riders Union (MBRU). The Union will be made up of MATA customers and will be dedicated to raising the level of service and dignity provided by the public transit system as well as to ensuring greater public accountability and public input over MATA policies and practices.
speaking on Revolutionary Pacifism: structural violence at home and abroad
People First is a Mid-South Peace and Justice Center supported partnership with residents and activists working in the Binghampton community to raise voter turn out during elections and assist in long term resident-driven grassroots community organizing after the elections end.
The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center is thrilled to announce the completion of the 2011 Memphis Survival Guide (MSG.) MSG is a an updated version of our handheld user-friendly directory of all homeless service providers, runaway services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, shelter and meal services offered in the City of Memphis.
On December 17th, the three month anniversary of the occupation movement, Memphians will join together and Occupy 4 Memphis.
At noon, rallies and vigils will be held at three locations, coordinated by ally groups. Participants should choose one location to converge on at noon.
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