Support Rev. Peter Johnson during COVID-19 crisis
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Friends of Dallas: The coronavirus has taken a big toll on us, emotionally, socially, and of course, financially. And one of our most beloved humanitarians, Rev. Peter Johnson, is struggling to make ends meet in the middle of this crisis.
Johnson, a former aide of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and considered the dean of civil rights in Dallas, is the last person to ask for personal help, having sacrificed countless opportunities over the years to make money for himself so he could instead help feed, clothe and raise money and resources for others while championing their rights.
Since his arrival in the city in 1969, he staged a 16-day hunger strike on the steps of city hall to feed the poor. He has set up gun buy-back programs to take more than 20,000 firearms off the streets and out of the hands of teens and children. He has fought to end discriminatory housing, lending and hiring practices, police brutality, and inequitable access to healthcare.
He has eloquently sermonized on the power of compassion, teaching us how nonviolence and forgiveness can be our best tools to live in this society.
On and on and on.
Over the last five decades, the Rev. Johnson has resisted offers to give him high-paying jobs, to name public buildings after him, to stage honorary celebrations for him. His usual response: "please steer your money and attention to those who need it, not me.''
But now he is no longer being paid to teach civil rights history as a professor at the University of North Texas. Other income sources for his family have dried up as well.
As a community, however, we can come together right now to pay him back. Let's pool together some donations to support him and his family during this unprecedented crisis.
Any amount is welcome and useful to show our gratitude to him, under the principles he has taught to us.
If you prefer to write a check directly to Rev. Johnson, please mail it to his office, 400 South Zang Boulevard, Suite 1015, Dallas Texas 75208. Just add a note to say this is part of an effort to pay him back for his community service.
Thank you!
Johnson, a former aide of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and considered the dean of civil rights in Dallas, is the last person to ask for personal help, having sacrificed countless opportunities over the years to make money for himself so he could instead help feed, clothe and raise money and resources for others while championing their rights.
Since his arrival in the city in 1969, he staged a 16-day hunger strike on the steps of city hall to feed the poor. He has set up gun buy-back programs to take more than 20,000 firearms off the streets and out of the hands of teens and children. He has fought to end discriminatory housing, lending and hiring practices, police brutality, and inequitable access to healthcare.
He has eloquently sermonized on the power of compassion, teaching us how nonviolence and forgiveness can be our best tools to live in this society.
On and on and on.
Over the last five decades, the Rev. Johnson has resisted offers to give him high-paying jobs, to name public buildings after him, to stage honorary celebrations for him. His usual response: "please steer your money and attention to those who need it, not me.''
But now he is no longer being paid to teach civil rights history as a professor at the University of North Texas. Other income sources for his family have dried up as well.
As a community, however, we can come together right now to pay him back. Let's pool together some donations to support him and his family during this unprecedented crisis.
Any amount is welcome and useful to show our gratitude to him, under the principles he has taught to us.
If you prefer to write a check directly to Rev. Johnson, please mail it to his office, 400 South Zang Boulevard, Suite 1015, Dallas Texas 75208. Just add a note to say this is part of an effort to pay him back for his community service.
Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Peter Johnson
Organizer
Dallas, TX
Jenny Turzo
Beneficiary