The People's First Day

• Date: Monday, January 5th, 2026 – Wednesday, January 7th, 2026
• Starts: Monday at 9:00 AM
• Location: Mississippi State Capitol, 400 High Street, Jackson, MS 39201
• Cost: Free
• Light refreshments provided. Participants may attend one or more days. Street parking and public parking nearby.

Join Mississippi for a Just World (MSJW) for The People’s First Day, a three-day legislative orientation at the Mississippi State Capitol. This event is part of MSJW’s People Over Politics (POP) training program and is designed to introduce everyday Mississippians to the legislative process at the very start of the 2026 session.

Rather than waiting until decisions are already made, participants will be inside the Capitol from day one to learn how the legislature works in real time, observe lawmakers in action, and build confidence navigating government spaces.

During Orientation Week:

• Learn how the Mississippi Legislature is structured and operates
• Observe the opening days of the legislative session
• Go on a guided tour of the Capitol and
• Meet and engage with state representatives and senators
• Begin identifying issues they care about and how those issues move through the legislative process

Ahead of the 2026 legislative session, MSJW and our community partners are hosting a statewide series of POP workshops to equip Mississippians with the tools to advocate for justice, equity, and meaningful change.

As part of the training, participants will receive:

• A People Over Politics Advocacy Workbook
• A comprehensive legislative advocacy training
• A free trip to the Mississippi Capitol during the legislative session to meet and advocate with state legislators on the issues that matter most to them

This is your opportunity to learn, connect, and build power together with Mississippians across the state.

Day 1: Monday, January 5

9:00-11:00 AM

Guided Capitol Tour & Orientation

Meet in the Rotunda

Day 2: Tuesday, January 6

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Gavel in with the Senate & the House.

Meet in the Rotunda

*The end time this day is subject to change

depending on the legislature*

Day 3: Wednesday, January 7

11:30 AM to 2:00 PM

Capitol Room 204

Legislator Panel & Community Issue Identification

*Lunch will be provided*

Participants may attend all three days or individual sessions. Wear your POP shirts or comfortable clothing, and walking shoes are recommended.

This event is open to anyone who wants to:

• Understand how Mississippi’s legislative session works from Day One
• Feel more confident navigating the State Capitol
• Observe lawmakers and legislative processes in real time
• Build relationships with elected officials and community members
• Learn how community voices connect to legislative change

No prior advocacy or legislative experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to show up.

Mississippi for a Just World (MSJW) is a human rights advocacy organization based in Mississippi that bridges the fight to build a more just world from the Deep South to the Global South. Our goal is to be a living, breathing movement for human rights, deeply rooted in the enduring legacy of Mississippi's human liberation struggle. Across borders and cultures, irrespective of our different political, cultural, and social backgrounds, we are fighting for a world where every individual is empowered, where justice prevails, and where human dignity is non-negotiable.

MSJW was born in 2024 in response to the growing Palestine solidarity movement in Mississippi. We sought to coordinate, inform, and resource the grassroots energy behind human rights movements and anti-war protests across the state. Today, MSJW partners with local, national, and international organizations to train, educate, advocate, research, and base-build towards our shared liberation.

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Your contributions help sustain our work from organizing for a Free Palestine to training new movement leaders and challenging unjust policies in Mississippi. Every dollar builds power.

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Also check out other Workshops in Jackson, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Jackson.