ORGANIZING LESSONS LEARNED:

The Potter’s Field campaign teaches that affirming human dignity is at the heart of organizing homeless folks.

The Potter’s Field Campaign was the only campaign at Picture the Homeless that did not use protest as a tactic. We built power based on values shared by homeless leaders and faith leaders and we believed were also shared by most New Yorkers.

We exposed the way that the City of New York disrespected the poor who passed away as well as those left behind who sought to mourn their loss.

People aren’t defined by homelessness, as human beings we are defined by our values and our actions. Identifying what values move us to action allows us to connect with others who share those values. Collectively we can determine what action to take, together.

In the case of the Potter’s Field campaign homeless leaders and faith leaders deeply connected with the family of Lewis Haggins, enriching all of our lives, and created opportunities to build political power to win policy change.

We saw in action the principle that people with shared values who may not already be in community can be moved to fight for justice. These same values become the basis to imagine and to fight for a better world.

Narrators:

William Burnett

Lynn Lewis

Charley Heck Rogers

Rev. Elizabeth Maxwell Rev. Liz Theoharis

Rev. Earl Kooperkamp Willie Baptist

Anika Paris Tyletha Samuels

The Potter’s Field Zine is dedicated to: Lewis (Lou) Haggins, Jr. and Anthony Williams

Co-founders of Picture the Homeless