To that end, this call to action is being offered as a solution to a looming crisis. With your support and participation in the Peoples Congress 2008, the era of global dominance by multinational corporations will close and a new era of democracy, hope, and justice will begin. Our dreams for a sustainable world do not have to remain dreams. If we gather our strength, collect our will, focus our energy, and ask to be heard, tomorrow will be more than a shadow of our hopes. Obama has asked for our help and participation. Are you at the table?
What is proposed is that we organize a symbolic "occupation" of
the Capitol, using churches and school dorms rather than public parks. This,
"occupation" would arrange ongoing meetings between constituents
and their legislators, for a period up to one week. In these meetings constituent
groups would present reform legislation, of various kinds, that confront the
corporate takeover of our democracy and provide meaningful alternatives to
current policies.
This action would be combined with press conferences,
media events, and one (or several) large public demonstrations.
The potential for this action is great because the issues affecting everyday
people are reaching the boiling point. We are under assault from our own government,
and the past four years have shown that professional politicians are simply
not up to the task of defending us. The truth is, politicians are constrained
from taking action without guaranteed support from voters.
Responding to this fact, an unprecedented number of grassroots organizations
got involved in opposition to the Iraq War and the Presidential election,
as constituents attempted to create the popular support necessary for change.
The results have been mixed, but the infrastructure for a new social movement
is now in place.
A number of issues are in crisis, affecting multiple constituent groups. The issues include the Iraq war, the potential military draft, election reform, budget deficits, Social Security, environmental protections, separation of church and state, women's rights, and others. The potential for cooperation among affected groups is great. If well organized, this effort could include constituents as diverse as the AARP and United for Peace and Justice.
The unique opportunity here is to present these issues in their larger
context: the conflict that exists between progressive democratic values and
the modern conservative movement. The threats facing progressives are all
linked to one issue: the underlying hostility conservatives bear towards democracy.
Democracy requires constraints that limit the influence of
concentrated wealth and power, and conservatives have never reconciled themselves
to this fact. These constraints include guarantees for the rights of all citizens,
regardless of race or gender; the redistribution of at least some wealth;
and the constraint of law, applied evenly regardless of social position or
corporate affiliation. Progress on these issues, once taken for granted among
liberals, is under attack as never before.
The modern conservative movement is advancing its agenda through stealth, misrepresentation, and bare-knuckle politicking. It has successfully built a popular consensus for policies that actually harm the vast majority of citizens.
The Summer 2011 effort would be an opportunity to confront that consensus,
with specific, positive policies of our own, that we must undertake to explain
in terms that are understandable to the average person. What would make this
action unique and effective is that it could combine old-fashioned campaign
politics with street theater and genuine Populist passion. If well organized,
the event could avoid the problems associated with large demonstrations, like
police violence and hostile media coverage. Efforts should be made to involve
progressive legislators, meanwhile putting an uncomfortable spotlight on their
conservative colleagues. Our event could
actually fit a preexisting media story line: the wholesome democratic process
on display, as it was in the Ukraine this past December, or in Tiananmen Square
in 1989. This would help facilitate positive media coverage.
A number of organizing options have been discussed. One way to describe the
general approach is to compare it to MoveOn's organizing efforts in the summer
of 2002, when groups across the country met with their respective Senators
in all 50 states to urge them to oppose the looming Iraq war. Each constituent
group held as large a public demonstration as it could, while a small contingent
met with the Senator's office. The "lobbying" envisioned for Summer
2011 would cover a wider range of topics, and would occur at the
DC offices of both houses of Congress. One suggestion is for groups to also
meet back home at the state offices, which would allow people who cannot travel
to participate, and would increase opportunities for publicity. Conceivably,
many constituent groups could use this opportunity to present ideas for specific
causes, while event organizers would focus on the overarching themes unifying
the many causes represented.
There are many details to work out. This action will obviously not
happen without involvement from some large national groups. Activists have
begun the process of contacting representatives from grassroots organizations,
developing a comprehensive plan that will attract the support of larger groups,
which have the capacity to adopt these ideas and bring them to fruition.
Meanwhile, the exciting potential of this event is undeniable. We are still soliciting feedback. If you are interested in spreading the word and would like to help add to our list of contacts, please respond by e-mail to:
John Mulkins
W est Coast coordinator, The People's Congress 2011
johnmulkins@aol.com
or
Melinda Sample
East Coast coordinator, The People's Congress 2011
We want your input now.
This site will evolve as input is generated and ideas come together. Here is a list of ways you can help this action succeed.
1.) Endorsements are a way of building support for the action. If you believe the Peoples Congress could be effective, you should endorse this action proposal by contacting us through e-mail. As organizations add their endorsements, the potential of developing a strong relationship between those organizations becomes a reality. Funding becomes a possibility, and the action itself evolves into an event.
2.) Let us know you are interested. If you have experience in developing actions, let us know, and everyone, stay in touch.
3.) Generate more understanding of the issue.
4.) Enlist support from friends.
5.) We will need skilled activists to chair various committees. Those committees
include:
Promotion
Funding
Permits
Site Management
Media and Communication
Security
Sound and Stage
Transportation
Legislation