Dear Community,
The people decided! Our movements won this election. And we will keep winning. This election season has confirmed some fundamental truths—many of which GGJ members have known for the past 15 years, but are even more true today.
First, when we organize, we win. Today we ask you to invest in our regenerative organizing vision for 2021 that centers the lived experiences, ingenuity and solutions of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and multi-racial working-class communities that delivered progressive wins. Detroit, Atlanta, Philly, Phoenix are Black and Brown cities.
We need a movement long after the media hype and attention of this election cycle has passed. We aim to raise $100,000 by the end of January to prepare for mobilizations within the first 100 days of the new administration.
We know that the power of frontline movements is undeniable in these big wins:
- Grassroots organizations worked to pass Proposition 17 in California, which will restore voting rights to disenfranchised formerly incarcerated Californians.
- Floridians and Mainers won a $15 minimum wage.
- Colorado passed a ballot measure for paid family leave for undocumented workers and gig workers.
- Stephanie Byers was the first Native trans woman elected to Kansas state legislature, and Native voting power was historic in Arizona.
Second, our people are dreaming big and creating visionary alternatives. A record number of people voted not just for the President but because they believe in community-driven policies like the THRIVE Agenda, the BREATHE Act, a Feminist Peace Agenda, a Feminist Green New Deal, #LandBack, and Just Transition for workers and the planet. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the myriad challenges of 2020 we’ve made major advancements toward these policies this year. Our annual report (with poster!) shares some of the highlights: we hope you are as inspired by them as we are.
Finally, the work doesn’t stop here. This election was not a landslide. The final months of the Trump administration may be the most dangerous of all, and we are preparing for de-escalation training and community defense.
We have no illusion that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris represent the policies and systemic change that our communities need. It’s time to be bold about our demands, and it will be up to us to push them to govern with the audacity it will take to pass the policies that our movements are creating.
Will you donate by the end of January to support frontline communities staying strong through these ongoing crises, and preparing to govern?
Donations to Grassroots Global Justice are tax deductible, click here to make a one-time gift or become a monthly sustainer.
Stay well, stay connected, stay alert & engaged.
~ Sha Grogan-Brown
Deputy Director of Grassroots Global Justice Alliance (GGJ)
PS: I’m excited to announce our new Director of Resource Mobilization, Bridget Brehen! Bridget joins the GGJ team this December after 15 years with NISGUA (Network In Solidarity with Guatemala). Please join us in welcoming her to the GGJ community when you hear from her.
PPS: We are mobilizing from now through the inauguration to make sure Biden and Harris hear from us as soon as they take office. Please donate by January 31 to help us reach our goal.
