On March 7, 1965, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Chairman John Lewis led hundreds of activists across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in a march for voting rights for people of color. They were met at the end of the bridge by a wall of state troopers, who proceeded to attack the marchers with nightsticks, tear… Read more
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Big Money: The Power Behind the War Machine in Afghanistan
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The War in Afghanistan killed more than 241,000 people and cost the United States $2 trillion. What was the point? Why did we spend so much time and so many resources on a war that was doomed to fail? As you might expect, big money played a major role. How Private Contractors Fueled 20 Years… Read more
“Recess Can Wait; Our Democracy Can’t”
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This week, the Declaration for American Democracy (DFAD) coalition and 22 of its member organizations released statements calling on Congress to delay its August recess to pass the For The People Act. “One of the major tenets of a fully functioning democracy is that the public interest, not special interests, guide decision-making,” said DFAD director… Read more
The Battle for Democracy in Texas
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In the wake of the contentious 2020 election, state legislatures have proposed nearly 400 bills designed to restrict voting rights. Some states, like Georgia and Florida, have succeeded in passing legislation that primarily disenfranchises communities of color. And then there’s Texas, the current battleground state for voting rights. Back up. What’s happening in Texas? It’s… Read more
Look Past the Rainbow
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Each year on June 1, corporations festoon their social media accounts with rainbowed logos, products, and statements of support for the LGBTQ+ community. But how many of them practice what they preach? To answer that question, we have to follow the money. Some companies have faced backlash as a result of inconsistencies between their public… Read more
Campaign Finance’s Dirty Dozen: Mega-Donors in U.S. Politics
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The concentration of spending by wealthy mega-donors in our elections is even greater than previously thought. A report by Issue One, a nonpartisan campaign finance reform group, released last month showed that for every $13 spent in U.S. elections, $1 was contributed by one of twelve mega-donors and their spouses. That’s over $3.4 billion spent… Read more
President Biden Urges Democracy Reform in Address to Congress
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President Biden made his first address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night, the eve of his 100th day in office. His remarks were wide-ranging, from addressing COVID to promoting landmark measures on job growth and equity. But he saved the end of his speech to discuss America’s heart and soul – our… Read more
Want to Improve Your Health? Stand Up for Democracy!
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If you’re a part of the Stampede, you already know that grassroots movements are good for the health of our democracy. But did you know they’re also good for your personal health? Numerous studies have shown that civic engagement and activism have positive effects on our physical and mental well-being. For example, people who feel… Read more
To Protect Democracy, The Senate Must Pass The For The People Act
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The For The People Act is headed towards an epic showdown in the Senate. Last week, Georgia’s legislature passed a sweeping bill to restrict voting rights following a surge in Black voter turnout in November and January. Under the false claim of “combatting voter fraud,” the new law requires photo ID for absentee ballots, allows… Read more
VICTORY: House Passes For The People Act
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BREAKING NEWS: Last night, in a vote of 220-210, the House passed the For The People Act (H.R. 1), bringing us one step closer to getting big money OUT of our politics and voters IN! But we’re not done yet. H.R. 1 is now on its way to the Senate for a vote. Call your… Read more