We are excited to announce the 2017 Faith for a Fair New York Conference and Poor People’s Campaign Mass Meeting, to be held October 17-18 in Binghamton. This year’s conference will bring together faith, labor and community leaders from across New York with leaders of the national Poor People’s Campaign, including the Rev. Dr. William Barber.

The Mass Meeting and Conference will be the culmination of the Truth Commission on Poverty in New York State, which the Labor-Religion Coalition and partners organized this summer. At public Truth Commission events in Allegany County and the Capital District commissioners heard testimony from directly impacted people, organizers, policy experts, direct service providers, and other leaders about the crises of poverty and related injustices in our communities. A third Truth Commission hearing will be held on Long Island on September 12, and we are collecting additional written and recorded testimony from throughout New York until then. This project is part of a national Truth Commission on the Right Not to Be Poor, organized as part of the Poor People’s Campaign.

October 17-18 in Binghamton we will release a report on the Truth Commission’s findings, learn about the national Poor People’s Campaign launching in 2018, and discuss ways to build a stronger statewide movement for economic, social and racial justice in New York.

Spanish interpretation will be available.

Conference Program (details and additional speakers to be announced soon):

Tuesday, October 17 6-9 pm -

• Public release of findings of the Truth Commission on Poverty in New York State

• Poor People’s Campaign Mass Meeting featuring Rev. Barber and movement music and arts

Wednesday, October 18 9-6 pm -

• Workshops on economic and racial justice issues in New York

• Strategy session on movement-building in New York State

Registration information:

Labor-Religion Coalition understands that making the Faith for a Fair New York Conference accessible to all is vital to its success. We are committed to ensuring that no one is turned away because of financial need. Financial assistance is available to those who need it. Please do not let a lack of funds keep you from attending! To apply for a scholarship please email htraiman@labor-religion.org with your name, phone number, a paragraph about why you want to attend the Faith for a Fair NY Conference, and the amount of assistance you are requesting.

A list of area lodging is available here. The DoubleTree is the closest hotel to the venue.

We are currently working to see if solidarity housing may be available. If you are interested, email htraiman@labor-religion.org

If you need assistance with travel, we can help coordinate with others in your area. Email htraiman@labor-religion.org to let us know.

Meals included are continental breakfast, and lunch and dinner Wednesday.

If you prefer to pay by check, please call 518-213-6000, ext. 6176

Co-Sponsors of this event include: Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice, Upper New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church - Peace with Justice Committee, Eastern Parkway United Methodist, Repairers of the Breach, Social Justice Committee - Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock