As newly elected leadership on the Minneapolis City Council and proud Local Progress members, we are thrilled to welcome you to our city this summer for the seventh Local Progress national convening from July 12 – 14th, 2018.
The 2017 Local Progress convening in Austin, Texas.
Since last summer when many of us gathered in Austin, Local Progress members remained at the forefront of efforts to defend and protect our communities and to develop local progressive policies that strengthen our communities. Here in Minneapolis, we became the first city in the Midwest to pass a $15 minimum wage, and the second to pass paid sick leave; we also passed legislation to create an Office of Racial Equity.
Examples of resistance and inspiring victories are everywhere, even in these terrifying and difficult times. More than 50 cities have passed welcoming or sanctuary city resolutions in defiance of the federal government’s attempts to tear apart and criminalize our immigrant communities. Several cities, including San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Tacoma and others, have created legal defense funds for their immigrant communities. And elected officials are not just using our power at the dais to stand up for immigrant communities. Dozens of you have been demanding that federal officials pass a Clean DREAM act; and just a few weeks ago, two New York City Councilmembers, Jumaane D. Williams and Ydanis Rodriguez, were brutally arrested by the NYPD for protesting ICE’s detention of immigrant activist Ravi Ragbir during a routine check-in.
City efforts are not just limited to defensive actions and fighting back. They are also expanding rights, defending democracy, and taking steps to preserve our planet for future generations. Albany Councilmember Dorcey Applyrs led a successful effort to pass groundbreaking legislation requiring police to provide identification during routine stops. In Austin, an effort led by community organizations and Councilmember Greg Casar will make Austin the first Southern city to have a paid sick days ordinance. Just earlier this month, the DC Councilmembers including Charles Allen, Elissa Silverman and Brianne Nadeau unanimously passed a fair elections campaign finance bill. And New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio just announced the city will divest from big oil and sue major fossil fuel companies for their ongoing contamination of the environment. San Francisco is similarly considering divestment, and many other cities with Local Progress members are launching their own lawsuits.
Coming off an exciting 2017 election night, progressives across the country are stepping up and running for office because our ideas are popular and when we run, we can win. Together, we can build real change in our communities. Our conference brings together members from across our network, along with community and allied organizations and policy experts. Together we will share and learn from our policy work and victories, plus strategize on building collective power. We promise you will leave energized and inspired for the coming year.
As newly elected leadership on the Minneapolis City Council and proud Local Progress members, we are thrilled to welcome you to our city this summer for the seventh Local Progress national convening from July 12 – 14th, 2018.
Come join us this summer and experience Minneapolis culture, lakes, and food scene, as we continue the fight for Local Progress and prepare for this next year where we will collectively reclaim our power, and continue the hard and rewarding work to protect and build our democracy.
With deep appreciation for your work in the struggle and for your solidarity in our shared work,
Council President Lisa Bender
Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins
