Press
See below for video, audio, and written coverage of the 2011 Democracy Convention. If you know of content that we should post here, please contact us. And if you're inspired by what you see, please donate now to help us retire our convention debt. Thank you!
BOYER: Stewart Acuff is fighting for labor and our democracy
"The only thing we can do is to choose whether we fight for rights of people, freedom and democracy or whether we sit it out on the sidelines." ~ Stewart Acuff, Utility Workers Union of America
The discussion of workers' rights, the assault on organized labor, and the conversation of what it all means has never been a hotter topic as we approach Labor Day 2011.
KC ACTIVE: On hand at the Democracy Convention in Madison
For some, there wasn’t a better venue for America’s first Democracy Convention than the in-your-face capitol of local democracy, Madison, Wisconsin — a state with a long history of progressive sensibilities. Earlier this years thousands of protesters converged upon the capitol in response to Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican legislative majority’s decision to end collective bargaining for public employees — a fight that is not over and one leading to a test of Walker’s reelection capability.
Democracy Convention draws 1,000 to Madison, plans next steps
AUDIO: Soglin full speech (14:30)WSJ: Madison convention focuses on strengthening democracy
There may be no other convention where you can learn about the history of civil disobedience, go to a class called Organizing 101, and discuss how to make a general strike succeed.
The first ever Democracy Convention will be held in Madison Wednesday through Sunday.
"It's the first national gathering in my lifetime that has focused on the underlying question of who rules," said Ben Manski, former co-chair of the Green Party of the U.S. and an event organizer. "[It] is not just interested in criticizing the lack of democracy in the United States but is devoted toward strengthening the movement to achieve the American promise of democracy."
MJS: Democracy Convention under way in Madison
The first Democracy Convention got under way Wednesday, and the five-day gathering is expected to draw up to 1,000 political and social activists from across the country.
The convention brought together at least two generations of left-wing activists ready to hash out such issues as voting rights, access to education and U.S. constitutional reform.
Tom Hayden, a key figure in anti-war demonstrations during the Vietnam era, was among the scheduled keynote speakers. The convention was organized by Ben Manski, a 37-year-old Madison attorney and former co-chairman of the national Green Party.
Welcome to the 2011 Democracy Convention
Thom Hartmann & Ben Manski: Fighting Back Against Citizens United
Radio talk show host Thom Hartmann meets Ben Manski, Chair-Democracy Convention / Executive Director of Liberty Tree / Spokesperson for Move to Amend. They show us how to fight back against plutocrats who want to buy elected officials.
AUGUST 24-28, 2011
Downtown Campus of Madison College and the Concourse Hotel
MADISON, WISCONSIN
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/// ABOUT THE CONVENTION
If you want to strengthen democracy where it matters most -- in our communities, our schools, our workplaces and local economies, our military, our government, our media, our constitution -- you will find something inspiring in Madison this August. Learn More →
/// ABOUT LIBERTY TREE
The Democracy Convention is a project of Liberty Tree, a strategy center uniquely committed to building a new democracy movement for the U.S.A.. Liberty Tree supports and unites campaigns for democratic reform across many areas of life. 