The Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) National team and hundreds of PDA volunteers from throughout the country gathered in Chicago last weekend at The People's Summit. If you were there, I want to personally thank you for joining us. If not, you'll get another chance soon.

Make plans now to join us for Progressive Central in Philly with invited Special Guest Speakers: U.S. Representatives Tulsi Gabbard, Raul Grijalva, and Keith Ellison; PDA Advisory Board members: Michael Lighty, Thom Hartmann, Medea Benjamin, Jim Hightower, and Mark Dudzic; moderator John Nichols, and Andrea Miller. More to be announced ASAP. 

The People's Summit Made History

Over the weekend, we planned the next phase of the grassroots progressive movement. PDA had a very strong showing with chapter leaders and phone bank team members coming in from Arizona, New Mexico, California, Florida, Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Virginia, and beyond. We worked together with our wonderful allies including National Nurses United (NNU) and too many other great organizations to count.

PDA hosted a wonderfully successful booth where we organized outreach to hundreds of progressives and generated terrific support for our "Justice or Bust" and other messaging. We invited Convention delegates and others to join us at Progressive Central in Philly. A special favor: if you're a delegate, please contact Mike Fox to participate in our discussions and planning ASAP. Please pitch in $500, $50, $5 or whatever you can now to help support our organizing at the convention.

In Chicago, we participated at panels, watched documentaries, and discussed how best to advance toward our objectives. All that was amazing, but not historic. This Summit made history because it was a three-day sustained political rally that maintained high levels of energy despite not even having the candidate there. This signals that the next phase of the Bernie Sanders-inspired political revolution has already begun.

I'm writing an in depth report for you all, but I want to mention one of my personal highlights from Chicago. Michael Moore Skyped in at my invitation to lead a discussion about his amazing documentary Where to Invade Next. After appearing in his film Sicko, I feel safe in saying that his latest work is every bit as relevant, important, and informative as any of his earlier films.

Want to help sustain that amazing People's Summit energy? Please click here now for Progressive Central tickets, tabling, sponsorships, ads, etc. We'll be holding discussions, panels, workshops and more July 25-27. If you can't make it, please donate now to help us make the People's Convention a huge success! Money tight? Contact Mike "Phone Guy" Fox to get involved making critically important get out the vote calls.

I wrote the article calling for "Justice or Bust" because I truly listened to Bernie. As PDA's Executive Director and a veteran of the struggle for Healthcare Not Warfare and many other progressive campaigns–including my own candidacy for elective office–I know we need a broad-based grassroots movement to succeed. As Bernie has said from the start, this is about all of us–not just him, not just any one candidate or campaign.

The People's Summit confirmed for me that such unity of purpose is not only necessary and possible, but it is already underway. As many of the speakers recognized, PDA was a YUGE part of launching the Bernie-led Political Revolution, and with your help, we'll remain important to the next phase of the movement. Please contribute $500, $50, $5 or whatever you can now to keep us organizing and mobilizing! Money tight? Sign up for PDA's game-changing phone team. Contact Mike "Phone Guy" Fox to get started.

In the coming days, I'll complete my report about the incredible teamwork among the convening organizations. For now, I want to thank NNU for showing such incredible Bernie movement leadership. I also want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the help and support you've given to PDA.

This movement is far from over. In fact, with your continued involvement, we're just getting started! Make plans now to attend Progressive Central, The People’s Convention Monday, July 25 to Wednesday, July 27. Please click here now for tickets, tabling, sponsorships, ads, etc. Registration (per person): One day $10, All 3 days $25. Includes Light lunch and beverages.

If you can't make it, please donate now to help us make the People's Convention a huge success! Contact Mike "Phone Guy" Fox to make important calls! Too busy to volunteer? Then contribute $500, $50, $5 or whatever you can now to keep us organizing and mobilizing!