Emergency At Standing Rock
Stand With Standing Rock by helping Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) send activists and support to North Dakota. Authorities are resorting to extreme and life-threatening tactics to intimidate, harm, and even kill unarmed, peaceful protesters. Ground zero of the battle for clean water and sustainability is North Dakota, where Native Americans from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and supporters from around the country are putting their bodies on the line to stop the Dakota Access Pipe Line. (#NoDAPL).
We demand that the Obama Administration designate these sacred lands as a national monument to protect them from destruction. Further, we demand a tax on carbon and keeping carbonic fuels in the ground to preserve the environment and address the climate emergency before it's too late.
We are fundraising to help cover transportation cost for PDAers willing to make the trip to North Dakota. Please give all you can. Also, please let us know if you're willing to make that trip and when. Money tight? Sign up with Mike "Phone Guy" Fox to make calls from your home. Contact PDA Field Coordinator Judy Hess to launch or strengthen a PDA chapter.
Get Gifts, Meet A Senate Candidate, Fight Hunger
Next week is "Cyber Monday," featuring discounts on gifts. PDA has our own version we call "Blue Monday." See below for a sneak preview. Reminder: Tomorrow we have an exclusive call with a progressive Louisiana U.S. Senate candidate. See below for more details. Today, our National Advisory Board Member Rep. Jim McGovern is walking 43 miles "from Springfield to Northampton to Greenfield–to raise awareness about hunger in our community and to raise funds for The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts." See below for more details.
Thanksgiving
Special Message from Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Board Chair, Conor Boylan:
These are scary times, sisters and brothers. The election results were disheartening, to say the least, but there is still some good news. As many of us prepare to gather for Thanksgiving this week, we still have much to be thankful for. PDA joined Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and many other progressives supporting Keith Ellison for DNC chair. His chances look good. As Republicans plot to repeal Obamacare, now is the time for a renewed and powerful Single Payer push under our tenth anniversary relaunch of our Healthcare Not Warfare campaign. Please contact PDA Field Coordinator Judy Hess now to help organize a Healthcare Not Warfare event or vigil.
With your help, exciting new candidates won seats in Congress, including Nanette Barrgán (in California) and founding PDA Advisory Board member Jamie Raskin (in Maryland). Living wage and marijuana initiatives also won at the ballot box. See below to get on an exclusive call with a strong progressive Senate candidate Tuesday. If you're thankful for all the organizing Progressive Democrats of America does for you, please donate $500, $50, or whatever you can to keep our movement growing.
Young Progressives Demand Action
Building on the Bernie Sanders-inspired Political Revolution, YPDA and Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) have launched a strategic alliance. College students are working with PDA members to expand the progressive movement, bringing their energy and commitment to college campuses throughout the USA, and creating more inclusive progressive spaces. See below for exciting activism in Hawai'i. Please contribute $500, $50, or whatever you can right now to help us build YPDA! Money tight? Then get involved with YPDA. Contact [email protected] to find out how. Interested in learning more? See the YPDA Facebook page.
Healthcare Not Warfare Relaunch
Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) launched the Healthcare Not Warfare campaign ten years ago. Just in case you want to be planning now, we will mark the 10th anniversary and relaunch the campaign that, sadly, is more relevant leading into the Trump-Pence regime than it was under George W. Bush. We would like to have HNW vigils held across the country on Saturday, December 10th, 2016 International Human Rights Day.
We are asking that PDA chapters everywhere hold public vigils and/or programs to call attention to the agreement to which the United States has been a party for 68 years and has yet to adopt fully in policy or practice. Please join us as we mark the 10th anniversary and relaunch the Healthcare Not Warfare Campaign that is more necessary than ever leading into the Trump-Pence regime. We are planning HNW vigils and other events across the country on Saturday, December 10th, 2016 International Human Rights Day. Please contact Mike Fox to help organize a vigil.
Join us for an organizing call this Saturday November 26 at 4pm ET / 1pm PT
Dial-in Number: (712)-775-7035 / Access Code: 124469#
Please RSVP to Mike Fox and include any questions you have about the vigils
Your Change Makes Change
UPDATE: Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) challenged ourselves to recruit 100 new sustainers—donors who support PDA with automatic monthly payments—by Election Day. We gained dozens of new Change Makes Change sustainers toward our goal. We fell short by a few dozen, so we're extending the deadline. If you're not yet a sustainer, will you please click here now to help us reach our goal of 100 new sustainers by the end of November?
- Debra Schrishuhn, PDA Staff
Below, please see the list of House candidates Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) endorsed, listed by state and district. Many won. Some lost. We're not backing down or backing off. We need Keith Ellison as the Chair of the DNC, and we can't capitulate to President Trump.
Keith Ellison for DNC Chair (Updated)
Rep. Keith Ellison is the "Anti-Trump." He's thoughtful, calm, progressive, and he happens to be the first Muslim American ever elected to Congress. He represents one of the most diverse districts in Minnesota, a state known for proud progressives. Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) are proud to have him on our national advisory board, and we stand with Bernie and a lengthening list of his colleagues in calling for him to be the next chair of the DNC.
Keith has been a serious fighter for all of our progressive issues. He's been an exemplary Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. His character and integrity are unquestioned, and he's shown the ability to build coalitions to engineer real change. Please join us as we support Keith Ellison's bid to reclaim the DNC: sign here and here. Then Donate $500, $50, or whatever you can now to support our progressive organizing.
Stand With Standing Rock
Ground zero of the battle for clean water and sustainability is North Dakota, where Native Americans from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and supporters from around the country are putting their bodies in the machine that is the Dakota Access Pipe Line. (#NoDAPL). There has been a militaristic police presence and mass arrests during this peaceful demonstration asking for the Army Corps of Engineers to do their job. We encourage you to Stand With Standing Rock by participating in one of the world wide rallies on Tuesday and this week.
Donate $500, $50, or whatever you can now to support our progressive organizing.
Money tight? Sign up with Mike "Phone Guy" Fox to make calls from your home.
Contact PDA Field Coordinator Judy Hess to launch or strengthen a PDA chapter.
Fasten Your Seat-Belts
After of a week like this one during which a sexist, racist, white, male 70-year-old was elevated to the presidency, progressives cannot shrink from our responsibility to rise loudly and clearly in opposition to this very real threat. I have noticed this week that some of the white men around me seem emboldened to lecture me on the meaning of this week's election outcome. Please spare me the benefit of your assessment of how I should see this moment in the life of my country.
Donald Trump's election does not give you my permission to devalue me, dishonor me or disrespect me or underestimate my intelligence or resolve. My assessment of this election is valid. And my assessment of its importance for my nation and the world is valid.
Donate $500, $50, or whatever you can now to support our progressive organizing.
Money tight? Sign up with Mike "Phone Guy" Fox to make calls from your home.
Contact PDA Field Coordinator Judy Hess to launch or strengthen a PDA chapter.