Entering March with A Spring In Our Step

Moving  out of 2020, we have shifted to an issue-based organizing model, and are advancing major legislative priorities in Vermont under the Renew New England framework. And we are so thrilled about all of the wins in this past Tuesday’s Town Meeting Day races!

A total of 17 of our 31 endorsed candidates won their races, including two RAD Board members! In addition, two pivotal ballot measures – Just Cause Eviction and Ranked Choice Voting –  passed in Burlington. To our endorsed candidates who came up short in their races, you ran great campaigns and we are honored to continue to do this work with you. Thanks also to all of our members who participated in this process.

We are invigorated by Tuesday’s wins and the future looks bright. Now we just have to get through what is hopefully the last period of isolation. With vaccine deployment ramping up in our communities and across the country, there is an end in sight.

In solidarity,

Dan

CAMPAIGNS

The Vermont Renews Coalition is advancing just, equitable solutions to the interlocking crises we face through the policy framework outlined by the Renew New England Alliance.

On Sunday, March 28th, the Coalition will host a daylong virtual conference to excite, educate, and activate Vermonters around the systematic change work of the VT Renews Campaign. Join us to learn about 2021 VT Renews legislative priorities, connect with fellow activists, and explore the ways our work in Vermont aligns with national and regional movements. Register here!

MOVEMENT POLITICS SHOW

If you have not watched the latest episode of the Movement Politics Show, do yourself a favor and watch it now. This month we dove deep on the issue of housing. With an incredible lineup of guests, we dug into the history of housing and inequality and what housing justice looks like at the federal, regional and state levels. We also heard about local housing fights in Vermont, New Hampshire and beyond and how we are working to realize housing justice in our communities. Host RAD VT Organizer Tom Proctor was joined by John Washington of People’s Action Homes Guarantee campaign, Kate Logan, RAD Director of Policy and Programming, and RAD NH Organizer Brandon Lemay for this enlightening and timely conversation.

THE TRAVERSE

This month’s installment of The Traverse was an electric episode in two acts. We first revisited a powerful conversation between Cathy Albisa, VP for Institutional and Sectoral Change at Race Forward, Alicia Garza, Co-Founder of the Black Lives Matter Movement and Author, and George Goehl, Executive Director of our national partner People’s Action.

In the second act, Giselle Hart, Asma Elhuni, Mia Schultz, Zoraya Hightower, and Mary Gannon began a discussion of Garza’s latest book, The Purpose of Power, launching the Movement Reading Group – an exciting new project of our sister organization, Rights & Democracy Institute.

The Purpose of Power will be the Movement Reading Group’s first book and the group’s inaugural meeting will be held later this month. We would love to have you join us. For more info and to sign up, go here.

Missed the Traverse? You can still catch it here.

COVID RELIEF TOWN HALL

As Congress prepares to roll out the latest relief package, how can we ensure that we are addressing the short and long term needs brought about by the COVID-19 health and economic crises? On Friday, March 5th, our sister organization Rights & Democracy Institute was joined by Congressman Peter Welch for a virtual town hall to discuss the impacts of the package on Vermonters, and how we can support those in need. In case you missed it, you can still watch the recording here.