http://www.alternet.org/story/148354/one_nation_progressive_coalition_organizes_huge_rally_to_push_for_%27jobs%2C_justice_and_education%27_this_saturday_in_washingtonAlternet | By Alex Kane
One Nation Progressive Coalition Organizes Huge Rally to Push for 'Jobs, Justice and Education' This Saturday in Washington
Unions are leading the way, mobilizing progressives for big DC rally, in order to mobilize for Nov. election, and press corporate corruption agenda.September 30, 2010
When Barack Obama defeated John McCain to become president and Democrats retained solid control of Congress in the 2008 elections, progressives rejoiced at the prospect of having their agenda implemented. Two years later, it hasn’t quite worked out that way. Progressives have found themselves locked out of the debate in Washington on issues such as health care and the war in Afghanistan while the right wing has regrouped. With the economy still in the doldrums, many are predicting a Republican resurgence in the November 2010 Congressional elections.
But a new coalition of hundreds of liberal organizations is looking to change the absence of progressives in the national debate by asserting a progressive policy agenda this Saturday with a large rally in Washington. The rally is taking place under the banner of the “One Nation Working Together” coalition. Endorsing organizations ranging from the NAACP to the American Federation of Teachers to CodePink Women for Peace are hoping to see tens of thousands of people at the Lincoln Memorial call for the creation of new jobs, the strengthening of the safety net and the need for quality public education, among other demands.
Larry Cohen, president of Communications Workers of America, a union that represents over 700,000 people, sees the One Nation Working Together coalition as a “big tent” of progressives working together. The union, along with groups like the National Council of La Raza, a Latino rights organization, and Green For All, an environmental group pushing for green jobs, are key organizers behind the effort, which was first put together by the NAACP and the Service Employees United International 1199 union.
“The overarching message is that together, we represent a majority of the country, and we believe in the change that was represented in the 2008 election,” said Cohen. “We’re going to work together for economic justice. It’s not there.”
MORE
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
