You want a People's Revolution? Support The People's Convention in Philly, July 23rd!

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The Democratic National Convention starts on July 24, 2016. But it's not the only convention in Philly. And it with won't be the only organization voting on a platform. Because if you want a platform for real progressives (and not the once every four year ones) to run on, you should ask the people what they want and let them vote on it.

And that is exactly what The People's Convention, to be held in the historic Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia on July 23rd, is all about. Today, as we speak, ordinary citizens, some of them delegates for Bernie Sanders, but many of them people who are simply fed up with our current sham democracy where both parties represent the interests of the 1 percent, are working to draft our own platform, one based on the concerns of the 99 percent. The People's Convention will be open to the public, and everyone will have the right to vote to ratify it. Here is a short list of policies that people voted for in an online poll to include in the People's Platform:

Getting Big Money Out of Politics
Racial Justice
Healthcare for All
Climate Change
A Living Wage
College for all and Student Debt Relief
Income and Wealth Inequality
Electoral Reform

But why have a platform by the people, for the people and of the people? That's not just a rhetorical question and to answer it let me quote from the May 31st press release by the organizers of the event:

The People’s Convention is a pro-democracy event intended to set the stage for a new era of people-powered politics. Our plan is the ratification of a collectively written People’s Platform. This platform will consist of the issues which are most pressing to our country’s civic health.

We also hope to create a space for grassroots organizers and organizations to network and build relationships. This networking should establish the foundation of an ongoing movement intended to transform American politics for the better.

The marches and rallies planned for July 24-28, are all fine and good, but they won't have any lasting effect unless the political revolution that Bernie Sanders has helped inspire transforms itself into a viable, sustainable movement, one that can influence our politics at all levels, from the local to the national. It can't rely on one individual. Bernie himself has said repeatedly, real change can only come from the bottom up, not the top down.

The webpage for the People's Convention emphasizes the importance of creating a grassroots platform if we want to sustain a progressive political movement:

The People’s Convention in Philadelphia [is] a grassroots attempt to reclaim our democracy by uniting behind a common policy framework, rather than a personality or party. Leading up to our first People’s Convention this summer, grassroots organizers from around the country will work together to formulate a People’s Platform: a unifying set of ideas, beliefs, and values that will help define the movement.

This platform will also serve as a critical mechanism to hold elected officials accountable; public representatives who pledge to uphold this platform, but fail to do so through their votes and other public behaviors, will no longer be eligible to seek endorsement or support from The People’s Revolution.

As Jack Pollack, one of the co-founders of the organization, The People's Revolution, which is focused on making the The People's Convention a reality, said In These Times, the whole point is to insure that the movement sparked by Bernie doesn't end with Bernie:

The People’s Revolution envisions “Bernie without the Bernie,” says Jack “Jackrabbit” Pollack, who in October cofounded the group with fellow Sanders organizer Shana East. “What Bernie has shown us is that you can actually rally people around a set of policies that are really all going in a positive direction.”

The People’s Revolution sees Sanders as a critical partner in building a broad issues-based progressive movement to ensure the promise of the campaign—“A Future to Believe In”—becomes a reality. At the People’s Convention, the group plans to develop and ratify a People’s Platform to present to the Democratic National Convention and set an agenda for the broader movement.

That's right, actual Bernie Sanders' delegates will present this platform on the floor at the Democratic National Convention. Indeed, many of Sanders' pledged delegates are already involved in helping to draft the planks of the People's Platform. But they aren't the only ones.

Anyone can go to The People's Convention website and sign up to help out, and you don't need to live in Philadelphia to be involved. This is a nationwide effort in which anyone can participate. Even of you can't attend the People's Convention in Philadelphia, you can be involved in helping draft the platform, or spreading the word by volunteering for the Communications, Press and Social Media working groups. Or help out with fundraising.

So, who is behind this effort? I thought you'd never ask.

Jack "Jackrabbit" Pollack is a long standing activist for progressive organizations. Here is a photo of him and his bio:

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Jackrabbit Pollack is a founding member of Interoccupy.net, affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement. In 2012, he participated in the grassroots disaster relief to hurricane Sandy known as Occupy Sandy. He has provided logistical support for groups fighting for racial justice such as SURJ, Ferguson Action, and Movement for Black Lives. In April of 2015, he began work as one of the core members of People for Bernie with whom he worked through July.

And here is the photo and bio of his co-founder, Shana East:

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Shana East is a grassroots organizer located in Chicago, Illinois. Last year she began her foray into electoral politics, working on Chuy García’s mayoral campaign team. She then went on to be a founding member of People for Bernie, before co-founding the volunteer-run Illinois for Bernie and The People’s Revolution along with partner Jackrabbit Pollack in summer 2015. More recently, she was the Illinois Digital and Volunteer Coordinator on Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.

I support the People's Convention. I'm a volunteer working to spread the word on blogs, reddit and other forms of social media. I urge you to share this post on Facebook, or on Twitter, Instagram, reddit or on your own blog. If you belong to a progressive organization or volunteer group for Bernie, your organization can become a sponsor of the People's Revolution to network and cross promote each others event.

But even more than that, I urge you to make a tax deductible donation so that everyone who wants to attend the People's Convention, even homeless people, can do so free of any charge.

Your tax deductible donation doesn't have to be all that large to make a difference. I donated $10 when I signed up, but any amount, large or small, is welcome. Here is the link to their donation page: Donate to the People's Convention

The primaries are coming to a close soon. Bernie will be taking his campaign to the Democratic Convention. But we need to bring our revolution to Philadelphia as well, and not just by marching and attending rallies, but by working together through a truly democratic process to craft a set a principles, policies and values that we can all get behind. The People's Convention is a critical step in reclaiming our democracy from the 1 percent that has hijacked our political process by buying the support of politicians in both major parties. I ask for your help in any way you can, from volunteering, spreading the word or donating whatever amount you can, in order to make The People's Convention a success.

Thank you for your time,

Steven D

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featheredsprite's picture

Go if you can.

I am not able to go but have contributed to their scholarship fund so someone else can go.
http://www.thepeoplessummit.org/register/

I'm hoping for online discussions about the points raised by speakers etc. A lot of people are really interested in this.

ETA:
Oh! I was wrong and thought you were talking about the Chicago meeting.

I stand behind what I said about the Chicago meetup. Now, as to the Philly event, let me look into this a bit deeper.

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Life is strong. I'm weak, but Life is strong.

Steven D's picture

It will literally be held in Philadelphia on July 23, the day before the Dem Convention kicks off. Anyone who wants can attend and Sanders' delegates will present the People's Convention platform at the Dem Convention.

Again Links:

The People's Convention webpage

May 31st Press release

Volunteer Page

Donation Link

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

Alphalop's picture

that I can. Smile

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"I used to vote Republican & Democrat, I also used to shit my pants. Eventually I got smart enough to stop doing both things." -Me

Steven D's picture

and sign up for what you think you can help them do, whether working on the platform itself to doing social media, outreach, fundraising, etc.

https://thepeoplesrevolution.org/volunteer/

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

Alphalop's picture

Thanks for all your hard work to keep the fires berning!

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"I used to vote Republican & Democrat, I also used to shit my pants. Eventually I got smart enough to stop doing both things." -Me

Lookout's picture

That sounds really hopeful. I'm glad to see the movement growing. I wonder how this effort ties into the People's Summit in Chicago?

I also appreciated your posts about the FBI and Clinton. I find that hopeful as well.

Bernie is going to convention for a reason. I hope it will be to claim the nomination!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Steven D's picture

but what I can say is that the People's Convention platform is being drafted in part by Sanders' delegates and will be taken by them and presented to the Dem Convention as an alternative to whatever dreck the DNC comes up with.

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

featheredsprite's picture

I cannot go but did send a donation and shared on the interwebs.

Again, it would be good if we could get some reporting from this event.

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Life is strong. I'm weak, but Life is strong.

Steven D's picture

So I'll be reporting on it. Since some of the people who joined the People's Convention are also Sanders delegates I hope to get reports from them about inside the DNC also.

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

Alphalop's picture

Gotta get out in my shop and make more pens, "Bracelet Assistants and such. Smile

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Bracelet Assistant.jpg

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They are all the natural colors of the wood. It is amazing the variety of beautiful yellows and purples out there in particular.

Wonder how many I would have to sell to cover the trip. Smile

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"I used to vote Republican & Democrat, I also used to shit my pants. Eventually I got smart enough to stop doing both things." -Me

Alphalop's picture

some of my work to you guys if you want to do a raffle to help with funding this wonderful place. Smile

Maybe we could even set up a "Crafter's for the Caucus" where those of us that have more time than money can donate our stuff for you to either raffle off or do blind auctions on or something?

I would love to help make this new home bigger and better. Smile

There are a few wine bottle stoppers and some seam rippers that I have on my projects list as well, but all jokes aside, those Bracelet Assistants. You wouldn't believe the snickers I get with those at the fairs, lol!That is until I show them what they are actually used for.

They are great for those of us that may have a hard time putting on bracelets, you grasp the base of the ring in the clip and then hold the handle so it is placed against your wrist and just wrap it around and use the clasp with your other hand to clip it on.

Even if you don't have joint issues or whatnot it makes it so much easier, I made one for one of my friends and she loves it.

Of course, you could use it as a 24k gold "Big Pimpin" roach clip too I suppose, lol!

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"I used to vote Republican & Democrat, I also used to shit my pants. Eventually I got smart enough to stop doing both things." -Me

thanatokephaloides's picture

Even if you don't have joint issues

Was that bad pun deliberate?

Wink

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

Alphalop's picture

Sadly I guess I am not that clever.

I guess it's better to be lucky than be good. Wink

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"I used to vote Republican & Democrat, I also used to shit my pants. Eventually I got smart enough to stop doing both things." -Me

about this. I hope you don't mind me adding this in here, FYI/

The Sanders campaign wants to hold a "traditional Bernie campaign rally" July 24 at FDR Park in South Philadelphia, campaign spokesman Michael Briggs said.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/20160601_Sanders...

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Steven D's picture

They have been in discussions with the March on DNC people who have the permit for that site. March on DNC wants to have people attending the rally march to FDR Park and hopes Bernie will lead the march. May not be possible due to security issues, but I have heard from March on DNC organizer, Billy Taylor that is their goal.

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

WindDancer13's picture

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to ALTER or to ABOLISH it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

Hillbilly Dem's picture

Getting Big Money Out of Politics, Racial Justice, Healthcare for All, Climate Change, A Living Wage, College for all and Student Debt Relief, Income and Wealth Inequality, Electoral Reform

It is amazing that anybody living in the 21st Century could oppose even one of them.

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"Just call me Hillbilly Dem(exit)."
-H/T to Wavey Davey

thanatokephaloides's picture

It is amazing that anybody living in the 21st Century could oppose even one of them.

There are many who openly oppose all of them.

Sad

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

Steven D's picture

and all her loyal Hillbots and Super Delegates, too. Not to mention all her friends (cough - Billionaire Super Pac and Clinton Foundation donors - cough).

Funny how that works.

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

I think I could take a trip to Philly in July!

I kind of wish they'd tell us how much money should be raised.

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This is the sort of organization building and platform building activities that are needed for a progressive movement. I am not sure that I can go to Philly during the convention. I would really love to though and am trying to figure out if I can make it out there.

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Love is my religion.