Demand that the Democratic Party be democratic! Join Democracy Spring in Philadelphia July 25-28
It’s time to make history again.
This past April, over 1300 of us were arrested at the US Capitol, demanding that Congress end the corruption of big money in politics and protect the right to vote. It was the largest American civil disobedience action of this century and announced a democracy movement that will no longer tolerate the status quo of political corruption in our nation.
Now, we must do it again. When the Democratic Party gathers for its national convention, we will face a crucial test in the fight for a real democracy.
Join us in Philadelphia between July 25th and 28th and force the Democratic Party to take a stand.
With the nation watching, we will offer the Party a clear choice: either publicly commit to fix our democracy in the first 100 days of a new administration, or face mass nonviolent civil disobedience throughout the convention.
Why the DNC? That is where our movement has leverage right now.
It’s no secret that the Democratic presidential primary has been marred by the controversies of voter suppression and unelected superdelegates. Meanwhile, inspired by the insurgent challenge of a candidate almost entirely funded by small donors, a rising progressive generation is demanding a political revolution that establishes a government of, by, and for the People – not corporations and the billionaires. Even after our April sit-ins moved over 100 members of the House Democratic caucus to sign on to a letter supporting our reform agenda, the Senate’s Democratic leaders have proposed a reform package that leaves out the most game-changing thing they could enact with a simple majority: public funding of elections.
When our democracy is at stake and reform is necessary to open the door to seriously addressing the urgent moral crises of climate change, mass incarceration, and a rigged economy, back-burner half-measures are not enough. It is time for the Democratic Party to unequivocally embrace and enact real democracy reforms.
We demand that the presidential nominee and Congressional leaders of the Democratic Party publicly commit to pass democracy reforms that would establish publicly funded elections, overturn Citizens United, and ensure comprehensive voting rights protections for all Americans within the first 100 days of a new administration. Further, as an immediate, good faith step toward establishing “one person, one vote” political equality in all elections in our country, we demand that the Democratic Party clean its own house by immediately abolishing superdelegates.
If our demand is not met, we must and will engage in mass nonviolent civil disobedience to disrupt business as usual throughout the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Pledge to join us in mass civil disobedience at the DNC in Philadelphia.
This is not about Bernie. It’s about a political revolution to save our democracy so we can transform our country and realize intersectional justice for all.
This is an opportunity for the millions of people who’ve been inspired by the Bernie Sanders’ campaign to join others in strategic nonviolent action to push that revolution forward – and open the door to rapid progress on economic, racial, social, and environmental justice.
Democracy Spring is and will remain an independent, nonpartisan, nonviolent movement of love, hope, and truth. All are welcome who share our goal of political equality. We will have a presence at the RNC and will target many pro-corruption Republican candidates with disruption across the country in the coming months, but at present there is only one path toward a new President and Congressional majority pledged to pro-democracy reform: forcing the Democrats to honor their base and publicly embrace our agenda.
Many people may travel to Philly in despair and disappointment, uncertain about the path forward. We must be present in force and make it clear: there is hope, we can change the system, a movement is growing, and it is bigger than any candidate or any one election. If we change the system and win a democracy for all, a future we can all believe in is indeed possible.
If the Democratic Party wants our support and collaboration in promoting itself to the voters of America, they must pledge to #FixDemocracyFirst. Abolish superdelegates now. Voting rights, public finance, overturn Citizens United in the first 100 days.
Sign up to join us. It’s time to make history again.
#SeeYouInPhilly
Kai Newkirk & the Democracy Spring Team
p.s. Help spread the word: share this graphic now. We need to reach millions with our call to action.
p.p.s. Want to support this mobilization in a HUGE way today? Help cover our national team’s basic operating costs — food, housing, internet, and plenty of coffee — so we can train and support the hundreds of people coming to Philadelphia to do civil disobedience.
Chip in $5 to support our team of dedicated grassroots organizers.
