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People's Summit & March on the Capitol
Honoring Dr. King's Legacy

Since it began as the Poverty Action Summit in 2006, our annual MLK lobby day has grown into a major grassroots event mobilizing hundreds to Olympia every year.  In 2008, the Poverty Action Summit became the People's Summit to signify the day's broadening scope and the increased participation of other social justice organizations.

This year at the 2009 People's Summit, well over 400 people with low incomes and our allies squeezed into St. John's Episcopal Church in Olympia.   Representing 35 legislative districts, people came from across the state in support of the day's priorities: responsible lending, healthcare for all, affordable housing, access to citizenship, and income supports (like GAU and TANF).  Following the Summit - which included issue briefings and an opportunity for people to share their personal stories -  nearly 500 people rallied and marched making our demands to end poverty front page news.

The 2009 People's Summit was a success.  More people with low incomes than any other year spoke to their lawmakers about poverty issues - the single most effective way to move lawmakers to support legislation to end poverty.

During this legislative session, we will continue to be a presence in Olympia.  We hope you'll join us to ensure our lawmakers are listening to their constituents with low incomes. Especially in these times of economic uncertainty, real solutions to poverty are needed. Download our 2009 Legislative Agenda to see where we stand on the issues. 

500 people marched to end poverty on Martin Luther King Day.