Catholic War on Poverty Notes

The Catholic War on Poverty

Madison Avenue Protests (1966)

In May 1966, a demonstration occurred on Madison Avenue in New York City, involving over 300 poor people, primarily black women and children, alongside priests and anti-poverty activists. They protested against budget limits imposed by the federal government on New York City's anti-poverty programs, demanding more funding from the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).

The protesters carried signs with slogans like, "OEO, we've got the poverty, where's the dough?"

The demonstration faced hostility, with some passersby expressing anger and questioning the priests' involvement in street protests rather than church duties.

Employees from the advertising agency Young and Rubicam threw water bombs (water-filled paper bags) at the demonstrators. This event was depicted in an episode of the TV show Mad Men.

One employee's remark,