Last Summer, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) worked with inspiring young people to help them launch an exciting new organization: Young Progressives Demanding Action (YPDA). Established as an issue-based organization dedicated to advocacy for basic economic, civil, and human rights, YPDA has begun founding chapters on college campuses across the United States. Please contact [email protected] if you or someone you know wishes to get involved with YPDA.

PDA and YPDA are sister organizations, with entirely separate structures and operations. YPDA is focused on social campaigns, policy, and issues, such as The People's Budget, Black Lives Matter, and standing with Standing Rock against the Dakota Pipeline. Two YPDA leaders felt compelled to comment on the emerging political reality after Tuesday's election results. As a courtesy to YPDA and their leaders Elizabeth Lee, and Ian Schiffer, PDA shares their enlightening insights and observations:

Where Do We Go From Here?
Don't Agonize: Organize II!

With Trump as president, a Republican House, a Republican Senate and a likely very conservative Supreme Court (hold in there Justice Ginsburg!), this is the time now more than ever to organize and agitate for change.

For many of us, this was our first presidential election. We walked into this race starry eyed for Bernie and we ended up with someone who represents the exact opposite of the values that we hold dear. To that end, we need to take time to feel the hurt. To comprehend what has happened to America. To heal through radical love.

But once we come from the ashes, we need to rise stronger than ever before. There’s a lot of work to do, and we will need all the help that we can get.

First, we want to build a broad based coalition to target the specific legislation that Trump wants to enact during his first 100 days of presidency. The goals of this are to protect the lives of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters - those who identify as Muslim, Immigrant, Woman, Disabled, LGTBQIA, or a person of color, or any and all intersection. We will fight against deportations, bigotry, and hate, and fight for justice through direct action against Trump’s early measures.

Second, we want to continue our work in racial, political, environmental, and economic justice, tracking and advocating for policies that the people want. This includes #NoDAPL, Black Lives Matter, and Universal Healthcare.

Finally, we will agitate and organize locally, where there is a lot of potential for change. As we saw, California and Massachusetts legalized marijuana this past election. We also had our first female Muslim Somali-American woman elected in the Minnesota House of Representatives and first Latina Senator in Nevada. Step by step, we can push America forward. The struggle continues.

Justice or Bust!

Solidarity,

Student Leaders of Young Progressives Demanding Action

Elizabeth Lee, YPDA Co-founder and Chapter Leader at Middlebury College
Ian Schiffer, YPDA Co-Founder and Chapter Leader at the Claremont Colleges

Help PDA make needed progress. Please contact PDA Field Coordinator Judy Hess now to help launch or strengthen a PDA chapter in your state or locality. Sign up with Mike "Phone Guy" Fox to make calls from your own home. Donate generously now to support our unabashedly progressive organizing.

In solidarity,

Donna Smith for Judy, Mike F, Kim, Mike H, Janis, Deb, Dan, Teva, and Amos
Your Progressive Democrats of America National Team

P.S. We're here to help you make progress in your state and locality! If you need any help organizing a new PDA chapter or energizing your existing chapter, please contact PDA Field Coordinator Judy Hess.

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