I don't know the best way to continue what the Occupy Movement and Black Lives Matter and Bernie helped ignite, a true people's movement: a/k/a a People's Revolution. Do we work to change the Democrats from within or become an outside force for change? I just know one thing. We can't stop.

For myself, right now I'm working to create a People's Platform, a shared set of values and policies we can all unite behind, one voted and ratified at a People's Convention. In the following YouTube video, Jack Pollack, one of the principal organizers, has something important to tell you about what this event means and why you should get involved:

[video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu9IJl9jUzM&feature=youtu.be]

The People's Platform will be presented by Sanders delegates on the floor of the DNC for debate before the entire convention. It will also be used as an organizing tool for activists working to keep our movement alive. Whatever comes next, and no matter how many organizations arise after the DNC is done, progressives will still need to keep the fire burning, working to bring real change to our country and its undemocratic political system. The People's Platform will be employed to help unite as many of them as possible around a set of principles, values and policies that, no matter how each one of them intends to advance a progressive agenda, all can support.

Now some details on what You Can Do to Make this Event a Success.

The current issues that are going to be included as planks in the People's Platform, which were previously voted for in an online poll, include the following:

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

Don't see an issue you care about included? Tell me about it in the comments and I will pass it along.

Better yet, here's a list of things you can do to make The People's Convention work:

1. Volunteer

Join a working group to help other like minded people with any of the following:

Communications / writing
Press / PR
Media creation
Social media
Outreach
Fundraising
Event structure
Event logistics
Website development
Volunteer coordination
People's Platform - development
Other

2. Draft your own Platform Plank

Maybe you would prefer to prepare your own draft on one of the issues, or on a issue important to you that us not listed above. No problem. If you join as a volunteer, you can submit your own draft, or, if not just send what you've written to Jack Pollack at jack@thepeoplesrevolution.org and/or Shana East at shana@thepeoplesrevolution.org.

All members of The People's Revolution will vote on each plank that is submitted. The one with the most votes will be included in the People's Platform to be presented at the People's Convention in Philadelphia, July 23rd. But you need to hurry. The final draft of the platform will be completed no later than June 30th.

4. Attend The People's Convention

If you are going to be in Philadelphia anyway, plan on going to the convention on July 23, 2016 – two days before the DNC Convention begins - at the Arch Street Meeting House (ASMH) at 320 Arch Street in Philadelphia, PA. This is the first major pro-democracy event in a week of rallies, marches, demonstrations and protests. It will help set the tone for what follows. Why attend? Here's why:

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.

For transportation options and directions go to this link.

3. Donate

The People’s Convention is sponsored by: The People’s Revolution, an initiative of InterOccupy – a fiscally sponsored project of the Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ). AFGJ a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Donations are tax deductible and any amount, even as little as $1.00 would help defray the costs. I've donated already, and if you can send some of your hard earned cash to support this project it will be most appreciated.

4. Share this post on social media: Facebook, Twitter, reddit, etc.

It's easy to do. Copy the url to my essay and post it on your favorite social media sites. We all know traditional media will continue to ignore us. So, please, pass the word. This is a bottom up movement, and the more of us that participate, even in something as seemingly insignificant as sharing this on Facebook or Twitter, or emailing your friends, the better.

The bottom line: all we have is each other. If we want change we have to work for it. I am done working to elect more of the same politicians with the same corporate baggage who won't do what needs to be done to save our future. My plan is to work for changing the conversation we are having with one another. My plan is to work to enact policies that work for everyone, not just the 1 percent. I want real democracy, not the false facade that has be fostered upon us by our nation's two corrupt major political parties and a compliant mainstream media.

I believe The People's Convention is a very good place to start the next step of my journey at fighting to transform America into a better country. I ask you for your support of this worthy cause.

Thank you all for your time,

Steve Searls a/k/a Steven D
(Find me on Twitter @StevenDBT)