RAD Leaders in Action
You can also check out Mia talking about priorities as she steps into her new role as the President of the Rutland branch of the NAACP on VPR.
Vermont AFL-CIO President, David Van Deusen and RAD Director of Programming and Policy, Kate Logan will be panelists this Thurdays on “A Just Transition for All” a virtual event hosted by Vermont Interfaith Power and Light. Register here!
[highlight style=”yellow”]Thinking about running for office?[/highlight]
With Town Meeting Day around the corner, we want to help put a new generation of movement champions into office. If you are interested in seeking an endorsement from RAD, let us hear from you! Please take a moment to fill out this brief opt-in form.
RAD in the Media
Vermont Movement Politics Director Kiah Morris was appointed to the Vermont Commission on Women!
RAD co-signed a petition by Vermont Legal Aid calling for the extension of the COVID moratorium on utility shut-offs.
Voices from the Movement on Social!
As we begin 2021, we would love to know what is inspiring YOU to get involved with the movement we are building for transformative change this year. We want to feature voices of RAD members and leaders from across our state on social media, so that in this time of social distancing we can still see how we are all connected in our visions and the work that is moving us! Share your thoughts by filling out this form.
In Case You Missed It….
Our first social media roundup of the year…
Another world IS possible, and it is on its way. #stopfascism #endwhitesupremacy #georgia #senate
Meet RAD’s 2021-22 Board of Directors!
We hope you found time for rest and rejuvenation in the final days of December. Here at RAD, we are coming into the new year ready to get to work.
2020 was hard – exhausting, and at times, devastating for so many. We kept our eye on 2021 in the hope that a new year would bring light, clarity, and new pathways for change. And we continue to harbor that hope, but the past few days have been rough.
Last week’s historic wins in Georgia were breathtaking precisely because they were the direct result of hours, months, and years of deep grassroots organizing – the kind required to make the transformative change we so clearly need. While Wednesday’s raid of the Capitol building laid bare yet again this nation’s legacy of systemic racism, inequity, and violence, we must not allow this to dampen the work, bravery and hard won victories of activists and organizers across our movement. We offer space and support for Black, Brown and Indigenous folks, and other people of color in our communities and throughout the country who had to endure once more these destructive and hateful displays of white supremacy. As we recenter ourselves in solidarity and love, we will keep moving forward together.
And we are starting here at home. This week, we are very excited to be kicking off Vermont Renews and New Hampshire Renews – grassroots statewide coalitions to fight for a just and equitable future in our states. Join us for the launch events and stay tuned for policy updates as the legislative sessions get underway.
We am so honored to be doing this work with each and every one of you. Let’s push on into 2021.
We are the change that’s coming.
CAMPAIGNS
RENEW
RAD is a member of the Renew New England Alliance, a coalition with a shared vision for jobs and climate action in our region. As many of you may recall, earlier this year we launched the region wide policy platform and announced our endorsed candidates for the 2020 races who joined us in this vision for New England. Now as our 2021 legislative sessions get underway, we are ready to make things happen at the state level. Watch this powerful video from the Alliance and our vision for the future.
VERMONT RENEWS
This Wednesday, January 13th at noon, we will join with Vermont activists, social justice organizations, labor unions, and environmental advocates as well as national leaders, to launch Vermont Renews, a statewide coalition to tackle the overlapping crises of mass unemployment, climate change, systemic racism, and the coronavirus pandemic. Guest speakers include: Tara Raghuveer of People’s Action, RAD Movement Politics Director Kiah Morris, Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint, State Representative Brian Cina, State Representative Sarah Copeland Hanzas, and others. We will announce our priority bills for 2021 and discuss how you can get involved to win the transformative legislation Vermont needs right now. Register here.
THE TRAVERSE – EP. 4
DO POLICE BELONG IN SCHOOLS?
Following a tumultuous and deeply troubling start to 2021 nationally, we have been called to once again acknowledge the deep impact of structures of white supremacy in our own communities in Vermont and New Hampshire, and to revisit what racial justice would really look like locally. One focal point of this conversation in towns across the US, and in both states, has become the issue of how the presence of police in schools impacts youth, and particularly youth of color. Join our sister organization Rights & Democracy Institute on Facebook Live on Saturday, January 23rd for Episode 4 of the conversation series The Traverse, as host NH Movement Politics Director Asma Elhuni leads a discussion on the question: Do police belong in schools?
HOW TO RUN & WIN:
A VIRTUAL CANDIDATE TRAINING
We’re bringing the movement into elections; that’s how we build transformative campaigns & build power for the 99%. On January 21st, join a LIVE webinar/training on how to build progressive electoral power, either as a candidate yourself or as a campaign manager or core volunteer. If you’ve ever considered running for office but you are not sure where to begin, this training is for you. Register today using this link.
EDUCATION FUNDING IN VERMONT
HOW IT WORKS & HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER
Tuesday, January 19, at 7pm please join RAD, Vermont-NEA, and the Public Assets Institute for a presentation and conversation about how Vermont should fund our schools. Parents are encouraged to attend so their voices can be a part of this crucial state issue! Register here.