An array of elected officials, community activists, scholars, authors and clergy converged on Birmingham Saturday for a daylong State of the People POWER Tour at the Carver Theatre.
Birmingham, with its deep legacy of Civil Rights, was an important stop for the Tour as Black communities across the South organize against book bans, voter suppression, and economic inequality.
“This is a grassroots movement intentionally designed to empower everyday people, amplify Black voices, co-create nationwide change, develop a new generation of leaders, and hold current leaders accountable,” said Samantha Briggs, Ph.D, chief programmer. “But for Birmingham — where would we be? Who would we be? Birmingham has long since established itself as the bedrock of service, solidarity, and strategic action that forced the world to take note and for key legislation to be passed because of local efforts during the Civil Rights Movement.”…