OGDENSBURG -- Black Lives Matter Potsdam and the North Country Poor People’s Campaign are partnering for events to awareness about poverty and police brutality in America. There are two outdoor social justice events in Ogdensburg Saturday, Oct 10.

North Country Poor People’s Campaign is presenting the “For the Unity of the Poor” Forum from 1 – 3 pm Saturday, Oct. 10 in Ogdensburg at the Frederic Remington Art Museum Courtyard, 303 Washington St. Directly following the forum BLM Potsdam and Erin Lee Corbine will host a Black Lives Matter Everywhere March.

This family friendly event will raise awareness of the effects of poverty in America, specifically in the North Country. Speakers will discuss the impact of:

• Unemployment, poverty and debt in the North Country

• How Life Could Improve if America focused more on people’s needs vs. corporate profit

• Women in Poverty

Jamey Markey, North Country Poor People’s Campaign organizer, believes that poverty and systemic racism are tightly intertwined together. “Geography, immigration status, race, faith keep people divided. It is the different identity lines that the ruling class use to keep the poor people divided,” Markel said “Some poor people in St. Lawrence County believe that they are poorer due to people in New York City are taking all the resources; In reality there is enough for everyone in America It is wrong for anyone to be living in poverty in the richest nation in the world."

BLM Potsdam and Erin Lee Corbine, are proud to co-host a Black Lives Matter Everywhere March to kick off shortly after the conclusion of the forum. The march will start at the museum, head to City Hall (330 Ford St), then participants will march on to the John F. Kennedy Elementary School (801 Park St), then to United States Post Office (431 State St) in Ogdensburg before heading back to the museum.

During this time of COVID we want to be mindful of people’s health, so mask wearing and social distancing will be required.

People are encouraged to come out to make their voices for racial justice and against poverty and police brutality. Bring your signs for the march.