DETROIT (July 22, 2019)–Local Progress, an annual convening of municipal progressive elected officials from across the country will take place this year in Detroit on July 26-27. Local Progress is the only meeting of its kind in the United States, bringing together about 175 progressive officials who are committed to using local policy a tool to create a more participatory, just and inclusive government.

The convening is hosted locally by Detroit Council Pro Tem Mary Sheffield and Council Member Raquel Castañeda-López.

“Local Progress works with the country’s strongest progressive political leaders to protect communities and fight back against the unjust and immoral impacts of state and federal policies that inflict harm on people of color, immigrant communities, and working people,” said Helen Gym, Philadelphia City Councilmember At-Large and rising progressive star, who has championed legislation such as Fair Workweek and renters’ rights provisions. “We share a common mission to reverse the legacies of racism and bias in our public policies and focus government on ensuring equity throughout our work.”

Local Progress has over 1,000 members in 46 states and Washington, D.C. Members share resources and help each other to expedite the passage of progressive legislation with an equity focus. Members have led the way in passing minimum wage bills that have swept the state and city level since the organization was founded in 2013.

Participants will focus on addressing urgent national policy issues that are impacting their constituents such as Trump’s war on immigrants, the inequity of the criminal justice system, and the demand for equitable housing development across the country.

Additional events and trainings will be held July 24-25. 1700 progressive activists are also estimated to be in town in Detroit this weekend for the People’s Convention, another conference coordinated by The Center for Popular Democracy, which sponsors Local Progress.

For more information on the conference, here is a full schedule of events. 

Progressive leaders available for interview:

  • Raquel Castañeda-López, Detroit Councilmember

  • Betsy Coffia, Grand Traverse County, MI Commissioner

  • Helen Gym, Philadelphia Councilmember At-Large

  • Greg Casar, Austin City Council Member

  • Jillian Johnson, Durham Mayor Pro Tem