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Fifteen years ago, we were working on educational software. We weren't activists.
But six months into the media circus around the impeachment of Bill Clinton, we'd had enough with the polarizing game playing. We wrote a one-sentence common-sense plea for our leaders to "censure and Move On to pressing issues facing the country" and emailed it to fewer than 100 friends and family. The response knocked us off our feet. Within days, hundreds of thousands of people had signed on. That was the catalyst that launched MoveOn.org.
Now, because of you, MoveOn members are a powerful force for change in this country. We're seven million strong—and growing every day. Together, we've helped elect a president, twice. We've shown that small-dollar contributions from everyday people can overcome billionaire-funded super PACs. We helped win health care reform and an end to the war in Iraq.
But we know there's so much work to be done. Debates over immigration. Climate change. Gun violence. Corporate control of our democracy.
Taking advantage of this moment in history demands creativity and leadership from every corner of the country, at a scale we've never seen before. We need to make change happen at every level—from Inwood to Washington. That's why today, we're excited to announce the launch of MoveOn's Million Leaders strategy. In short, our strategy is to unleash a wave of previously-untapped people-power as MoveOn members across the country step up as the leaders of their own campaigns for social change, supported by the rest of MoveOn's membership.
We need to be fighting on more fronts, with more people leading, and breakthroughs at every level. That's how we'll win in 2013. There's no stopping what we can do together when progressives like you are backed up by MoveOn's collective people power, campaign savvy, and toolset—that's what the Million Leaders strategy is all about.
MoveOn members are already off and running. Will you join their efforts—then consider starting your own campaign?
Here are 3 campaigns that MoveOn members
are leading right now—click to get involved!
Or, consider starting your own campaign!
The Million Leaders strategy is a reflection of the moment we're living in, and a reinvestment in how MoveOn began 15 years ago. Every day, new leaders are stepping up in that tradition.
Like Gene and Sandy in Madison, WI. After Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed legislation making voting harder for college students, poor people, seniors, and African Americans, MoveOn members Gene and Sandy Lundergan started a petition on MoveOn's petition site, SignOn.org, urging the University of Wisconsin chancellor to issue students ID cards that would comply with the new law and help students vote. Nearly 9,000 people signed the petition, and after teaming up with campus groups like the Young Progressives, they won, convincing the university to issue the new student voter IDs!1 And like Lori Haas in Richmond, VA. In the wake of the Newtown massacre, Lori started a petition on SignOn.org which drew in tens of thousands of supporters. MoveOn amplified Lori's call for vigils around the country—and more than 300 events came together overnight. Lori and thousands of other dedicated leaders are now running campaigns on gun violence prevention targeting Congress, Walmart, city councils, governors, and more—with resources and strategic support from MoveOn.
Thanks for all you do.
–Joan Blades and Wes Boyd
MoveOn founders
P.S. Meet Anna Galland, MoveOn's new Executive Director, and hear Robert Reich, Van Jones, and Katrina Vanden Heuvel talk more about the Million Leaders strategy. Watch and share this short video: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=286924&id=62022-10220574-3YjeAAx&t=4
Sources:
1. "Free voter IDs available to UW-Madison students," University of Wisconsin-Madison News, January 20, 2012
http://www.news.wisc.edu/20227
Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
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