Massachusetts progressives are well aware of the crises we face. Climate catastrophes and COVID-19 ravage communities across the country, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and the poor always suffering most. The risk of nuclear war is as close as we have ever been. In Massachusetts, the growing incidence of the diseases of despair; addiction, ODs, and suicide reflect the worsening misery of much of our population while Trumpism threatens our political will to make change happen.
Come to our online Fall 2021 conference, Coming Together: Building Progressive Political Power, on Dec 4-5, where we will explore how we can move our programs forward with maximum impact, strategizing how to engage, unite and build the power needed to reverse the destructive policies of our current governmental structures. We acknowledge the urgency to center those whose lived experiences of resistance to oppression and injustice form the scaffold for our agenda.
Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5, 2021
by Zoom
Massachusetts progressives are well aware of the crises we face. Climate catastrophes and COVID-19 ravage communities across the country, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and the poor always suffering most. The risk of nuclear war is as close as we have ever been. In Massachusetts, the growing incidence of the diseases of despair; addiction, ODs, and suicide reflect the worsening misery of much of our population while Trumpism threatens our political will to make change happen.
Come to our online Fall 2021 conference, Coming Together: Building Progressive Political Power, on Dec 4-5, where we will explore how we can move our programs forward with maximum impact, strategizing how to engage, unite and build the power needed to reverse the destructive policies of our current governmental structures. We acknowledge the urgency to center those whose lived experiences of resistance to oppression and injustice form the scaffold for our agenda.
The 2016 and 2020 national elections, the Black Lives Matter movement, and Indigenous resistance to the Line 3 pipeline have changed power relationships and shifted cultural narratives in the United States. The Sanders presidential campaigns and the elections of AOC, Ayanna Pressley, and other members of The Squad point out the possibilities and the potential for progressive politics in the United States, but we are far from where we need to be. We will examine how we strengthen Progressive influence in our national, state and local governments.
To build power, we must forge coalitions of movements and groups, made up of different racial, ethnic, class, and gender constituencies. We must dismantle white supremacy and understand what it means to be an ally. We will begin the process of building a political agenda that is inclusive of human rights, including frequently under-represented BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, as we confront the threats of economic exploitation, climate change and nuclear war.
Lastly, we will address: how we maintain morale when political incrementalism impacts our power to address broad international issues and crises faced by the grassroots; and how we can conserve stamina, have fun and feel joy in our efforts. We should dance as we work toward a more just and sustainable world.
Sponsored by Massachusetts Peace Action, Our Revolution Massachusetts, Progressive Democrats of America, Progressive Massachusetts, North American Indian Center of Boston, Incorruptible Mass, Boston Democratic Socialists of America, Massachusetts Call 2 Action.
Registration: Pay what you can afford, $0- $100 – unlimited, sliding scale. Average to cover our costs: $20. Read the sliding scale guidance page. Register to attend.
We need 30 breakout facilitators and 30 student recorders! Breakout facilitators should experienced at convening groups of people to work together on a common task, and preferably, be familiar with the conference’s subject matter. There will be a planning meeting for conveners, probably on Dec. 2 or 3. Sign up to be a breakout facilitator (and register for the conference at the same time). You must be able to attend on Sunday as well as Saturday!
Student recorders should be high school or college students who can take notes during breakouts, capture list of attendees, and make a Zoom recording. You will be paid $30 for this work. There will be a brief orientation session on Dec. 3 at 3pm. Sign up to be a student recorder!
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Sponsor or Endorse: Massachusetts progressive organizations are invited to cosponsor or endorse. See details and sign up.
Agenda
Saturday, December 4
9:00 am Welcome and Keynote Address
10:00 am Federal Strategy Panel
11:00 am Breakouts
12:00 noon Lunch
1:00 pm State Strategy and Issues Panel
3:00 pm Breakouts
4:00 pm Wrapup
5:00 pm Adjourn
Sunday, December 5
10:00 am Next Steps
12:00 pm Adjourn
