LOCAL PROGRESS Convenes Elected Officials to Build Power

In July, more than 250 local elected officials, community leaders, and policy and labor partners from across the country gathered in Detroit for the largest, most diverse, and most powerful Local Progress (LP) convening to date. Detroit Councilmember Raquel Castañeda-López and Detroit Action Executive Director Branden Snyder welcomed LP with open arms and were instrumental in ensuring that the convening was rooted in partnership between the people of Detroit and their local government.

Local Progress, a network of progressive elected officials and a project of CPD, gathered to discuss “Equity. Justice. Power.” This wasn’t just a theme. It was a call to meet the challenge of moving local policy and action that dismantles systems of oppression designed to exclude people of color. This year’s convening focused on building power, courage, and creativity to tackle the crises of our time—homelessness, mass incarceration and disinvestment, targeting of immigrants, or runaway inequality. Read more on our blog.

WORKERS RIGHTS: Working Washington Wins Big for Thousands of DoorDash Workers

The fast-growing gig economy provides flexibility and opportunity for millions of workers and consumers. Billions of dollars are pouring into these platforms: Instacart’s revenues grew 75 percent over one year, and the company is now valued at over $7.6 billion. DoorDash is now valued at over $12 billion.

But the workers fueling the rapid expansion of app-based work experience low pay and tip theft, and due to their status as independent contractors they lack access to either employer-provided benefits or the public safety net. Our recent survey of hundreds of Instacart workers showed they earn an average of $7.66 an hour. Many workers put in long hours, others use gig work earnings to supplement their income from a conventional job, but all are relying on their gig income, derived through opaque and ever-changing pay structures, to meet basic needs.

For the past year, CPD has supported Working Washington in engaging thousands of gig workers at Postmates, DoorDash, Instacart, and Caviar. Read more on our blog.

MEDICARE FOR ALL Takes Center Stage During the August Congressional Recess

The end of July marked the beginning of a crucial time for the Medicare for All movement: the start of the August Congressional recess. From July 29 to September 8, Congress members will be home in their districts, holding community events, and attending barbecues and parades. It’s also the time when healthcare fighters can directly meet them face-to-face and demand a healthcare system that respects the inherent dignity and value of all of us. Volunteers across the country are kicking off a month of action to capitalize on this opportunity.

On August 8, CPD worked with National Nurses United (NNU), Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Our Revolution and others—with support from New York Communities for Change and Make the Road New York—to host People’s Assemblies in Brooklyn, New York, and Long Branch, New Jersey. The New Jersey  event was organized by Our Revolution Monmouth and co-sponsored by the New Jersey Universal Healthcare Coalition.

The groups brought out over 150 people, who shared their stories and worked collectively to develop a plan to win more Congressional support for Medicare for All while members are home for the recess. Read more on our blog.

MEET OUR AFFILIATES: Hoosier Action is Fighting for the Future of Small-town Indiana

Founded in 2017 by a sixth generation Hoosier, Hoosier Action, a CPD affiliate, works to connect small town and rural Hoosiers to the broader fight for a multiracial democracy and to reject the myth of scarcity and racial animus. Hoosier Action builds small-town chapters in which members undergo intensive political education and take up fights to improve their communities.

Right now, and with CPD campaign support, Hoosier Action is building a multi-constituency, statewide aggressive campaign to end the Medicaid work requirements—a leftover policy from when Mike Pence was governor. Hoosier Action is organizing Medicaid patients, rural healthcare providers, hospital administrators, and mental healthcare workers as well as groups including the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, Faith in Indiana, Indiana Recovery Alliance, Communications Workers of American (CWA), and the Baptist Ministerial Alliance to fight together.

On July 1, the day the work requirements began, Hoosier Action led an action, press conference, and delivered thousands of postcards from 43 counties to Governor Eric Holcomb.  Members are continuing in-district meetings with local officials and planning a large action in November. You can learn about the campaign in an Indianapolis Star video featuring Hoosier Action member Eva Guerrero. Read more on our blog.

IMMIGRANT JUSTICE: Make the Road CT Hosts Community-based Participatory Research Project

Recently, CPD worked with Make the Road Connecticut (MRCT) to launch a gallery walk that showcased the photography of members of MRCT's youth committee. The photographs were part of a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and led by CPD Senior Research Analyst, Michele Kilpatrick, CPD Co-director of Community Dignity Campaigns, Julio Lopez (then executive director at MRCT), and Professor Julie Henly at the University of Chicago. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a form of research that recognizes the expertise and centrality of the lived experiences of communities. In such projects, members of the community are active participants in the development of research questions, research design, and implementation. Read more on our blog.

FROM THE NETWORK: CPD Affiliates Reflect on the People's Convention

CPD’s People’s Convention brought over 1,500 leaders and members of our affiliate network to Detroit for three days of action, planning and joint mobilizing for the fight ahead. We invited members from Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH) and SPACEs to reflect on their experiences, gathering with the largest progressive organizing network in the country.

CUFFH Member Jameal Starks Asks ‘What’s An Activist?’

What’s an activist? That was the question on my mind before I went to the Center for Popular Democracy’s 2019 People’s Convention. Is it someone with a masters degree in Political Science?

I know now: it’s anyone willing to stand up to unfairness. This is just one of the many things I learned and experienced at the convention. Read more on our blog.