Hello World,

During the official MLK50 commemorations, Pastor Terence Lester completed a 386-mile march to the Lorraine Motel in Memphis last week. In March, Pastor Lester left the National Center of Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta to embark on the journey on foot to Memphis in honor of the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. The purpose of Lester’s march is to revive Dr. King’s “The Poor People’s Campaign” and to spread awareness about the alarming epidemic of homelessness and poverty around the country. Lester moved the crowd from the Lorraine Motel stage from as he gave reflection of his journey and the importance of passing the baton for justice.

“Dr. King believed that the next step towards equality was to eradicate a system that even 50 years later today, still keeps people enslaved to poverty. Systemic poverty is a civil rights issue affecting millions of people across the nation,” says Pastor Lester founder and executive director of Love Beyond Walls. “This march is a testament to Dr. King’s legacy and sheds light on the harsh realities of homelessness, food insecurity and poverty. It is time for the next generation to pick up the baton and we are on the frontlines to leading the charge.”

Love Beyond Walls is a 501c(3) nonprofit based in Atlanta, Georgia. Through hands-on assistance programs offering a temporary mobile shelter and operating the Love Center which provides clothing, laundry and groceries to the underserved, Love Beyond Walls has helped hundreds of men and women transition out of homelessness and poverty.

Check out a video and  few pictures from Pastor Lester’s video on the march below:

It’s official. The countdown begins. Today, I’ll make 21 days walking on behalf of the poor in our country. . On March 3rd, I set out on a 386 mile journey on foot to the Lorraine Motel (@ncrmuseum) to bring attention to poverty and honor MLK’s life. . I started from the Center for Civil & Human Rights (@ctr4chr) in Atlanta, GA and have walked all the way to Mississippi. . It’s my hope to arrive at the Lorraine by April 4th (MLK50th). . People have asked me what’s the one thing I’d want people to hear out of this sacrifice. It’s simple. . We have over a 100 million people in our country living near or below the poverty line. Therefore, “Poor People Matter.” . #MAP18 #lovebeyondwalls #MLK50th

A post shared by Terence Lester (@imterencelester) on Mar 23, 2018 at 4:59am PDT

Pastor Terence Lester (center) leads March Against Poverty with his son and Gerald Griggs of NAACP Atlanta chapter by his side departing from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta.

 

Pastor Lester alongside wife Cecilia and children.

 

Pastor Lester makes friends with homeless U.S. military veteran, Chris, along the walk.​

Pastor Lester and supporters join in the March Against Poverty.

Pastor Lester at the Alabama state line marker.

Pastor Lester continuing his march through the rain wearing a hoodie with text “Being Poor is Not a Crime”​

Pastor Lester crosses into Mississippi.

After 30 days, Pastor Lester officially makes it to Memphis.

Local supporters join Pastor Lester ​to finish the remaining 3 miles in Memphis to the Lorraine Motel.

Pastor Lester at the Lorraine Motel.

Pastor Lester sharing reflections from his journey and
the charge of the continuing Dr. King’s “Poor People’s Campaign”

For more information about the march, please visit marchagainstpoverty.com.

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