In a press conference, Barber said the purpose of the tour — called The Revival: Time for a Moral Revolution of Values — is to ignite a resurgence of activism in “people of conscience” across the nation.
Barber is partnering with the Rev. James Forbes, a New York minister, for the tour, which will span 15 states — including North Carolina.
“Far too much of our national political discourse and activity has been poisoned by the dominance of regressive, immoral and hateful policies directed toward communities of color, the poor, the sick, our children, immigrants, women, voting rights, the environment and religious minorities,” Barber said
The Rev. Rachel Johnson, spokesperson at Riverside Church, said the tour started there because of the church’s historical significance.
“Part of the inspiration of the tour is drawing from MLK’s ‘mountaintop’ speech, in which he says that it’s time to break the silence,” Johnson said. “That speech was delivered at Riverside Church 47 years ago this weekend.”
It was also the anniversary of King’s assassination. Johnson said the dates for the tour was intentional.
He’s been a longtime partner and companion of ours in the work of advocating for justice in our society and in our public discourse around politics,” Johnson said. “We have a long tradition of bringing influential civil rights leaders to our pulpit, going back to Rev. King and before that, and we’re excited to continue that.”
Kierra Campbell, co-director of outreach for the Campus Y, worked with Barber earlier this year to promote HKonJ, an annual rally in Raleigh to promote many of the issues addressed on the tour.
