Why It Was an Honor to Get Arrested

I launched my campaign on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, because the American Civil Rights Movement has been such a deep inspiration in my life. I got involved in nonviolent action because of the example of former Congressman John Lewis. My wife and I named our daughter, Ella, after the great civil rights leader, Ella Baker. And, yes, I’m the type of nerd who went on a southern civil rights-themed roadtrip for my honeymoon. 

Many people have read or heard Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. It’s definitely worthy of a full read. That said, I actually think Dr. King’s most profound writing is his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” The moral call in that letter is what inspired me to join a sit-in at Sen. Shelley Moore Capito’s Morgantown office, led by Morgantown faith leaders.

Our action was held in solidarity with Moral Mondays: A Southern Call to Conscience.

The multi-state initiative was launched last year by North Carolina-based Repairers of the Breach to reject extremism in the White House and Congress. The Moral Mondays initiative also fights policies that strip millions of poor and low-income Americans of Medicaid, SNAP and other critical social safety net programs. 

This movement, launched by Rev. William Barber, has continued the work of the Civil Rights Movement, launched by Dr. King and so many other civil rights leaders. Their immense sacrifices then made our lives better today. All that to say, it’s an honor to be in solidarity with such a movement. 

Dr. King once said, “The arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice.” While it’s a beautiful sentiment, I think Dr. King would agree that the arc doesn’t bend by itself—it takes us to do the bending.  Our modern challenges are severe and demand each of us to do what we can to bend the arc. 

Regardless of whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, one can’t deny the scale of the problem: 60,000 West Virginians are at risk of losing healthcare coverage because of rising premiums. Another 55,000 will lose access to Medicaid over the next decade. And at least 36,000 will lose SNAP eligibility. These are human beings and, whether you’re one of them or not, their problems are your problems. They are not political problems; they are shared moral problems because we live in a shared community. 

To Shelley Moore Capito, Riley Moore, Carol Miller, and Jim Justice: 

You talk about your faith, but you never talk about your plans. What are you going to do during these winter months when the bottom falls out for so many of your constituents? For my part, I would fund the subsidies and our basic social safety nets. I would also make our benefits system more supportive of families who are trying to get ahead. If that’s not your solution, what is? 

You’ve been invited to so many town halls and open forums. You’ve been asked these questions dozens of times by phone, by email, and by other means. Your silence has brought this moment to your door, and that’s why we held a sit-in. Regular West Virginians know decency. We know what you’re doing isn’t right.  And we’re not here to play political games. We believe in your office, and we want you to live up to your oath of serving us, listening to us, and answering us. 

At our sit-in, we sang “Which Side Are You On?” This profound song from the civil rights movement was written in the 1930s by an Appalachian activist, Florence Reese, whose husband, Sam Reese, was a union organizer. 

At one point, men hired by the mining company illegally entered Sam’s home and threatened him. Florence wrote that song on the night this happened, and it is now the cry of every West Virginian fighting for justice—and a legitimate question to our congressional delegation.

Which side are you on? 

You’ve provided billions of giveaways to the uber-wealthy, but do you believe your constituents, who built this country, deserve a little support to get a home, food, and healthcare? 

Which side are you on? 

You take meetings with lobbyists, but do you believe your constituents deserve an open forum, where you can present your plans on addressing their needs and hear their responses? 

Which side are you on? 

If I have the honor of serving you, I will always be on your side. Whether you vote for me or not will play no role in that decision. I will always be on the side of the people. To get there, please consider helping me by volunteering, donating, or sharing your stories. Thank you for your support and your continued belief that we can do better.