After three years apart, being together again was nothing short of incredible. To those of you who were in Denver and those who were there in spirit — and to our sponsors who helped make it happen — thank you so much for being part of #LP2022.
It’s worth underscoring how this was our most ambitious national convening yet. Altogether, we had more than 44 different plenaries, receptions, meetings, site visits, and workshops, covering everything from workers’ rights to housing to reproductive justice and transit equity.
More than 360 local elected officials, partners, and allies in community. Sharing, healing, and learning together. Pushing each other. Empowering one another. There are so many incredible memories. Don’t forget to check out our photo album on Facebook and our favorite hot takes on Twitter. Here’s a recap of some of our most powerful and exciting moments together:
We grounded ourselves in the work happening in our host state of Colorado — hearing about the incredible work to overcome abusive state preemption. We celebrated the power of workers — with a keynote speech from Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls and by honoring local workers from AFL-CIO, UNITE HERE, SEIU, Denver Area Labor Federation and CWA.
We spent time learning from each other and strategizing on local issues including:
Electrifying school buses
Creating permanently affordable housing
Protecting abortion access
Funding community safety
Protecting immigrants in a post-Trump era
On Day 2, we celebrated LP’s 10 year anniversary as an organization and previewed our new look – which is now out in the world, alongside our new website! We recognized and thanked outgoing board members including former AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre and former Austin City Councilmember Greg Casar, and welcomed in new leadership including our new network Co-Chair Durham Councilmember Jillian Johnson!
“We go local because our politics are most closely connected to our communities on the ground… because we cannot wait for Congress or our state legislatures or the courts to save us… because this is how we show that we can and must win for the people.” — LP Co-Chair and Philadelphia Councilmember At-Large Helen Gym
One of the most exciting parts and a fan-favorite were the eight simultaneous site visits and tours run as part of the main program. There’s so much exciting policy happening in Denver and participants got out to see if for themselves and learn about local resilience in food systems, climate action and strong unions, infrastructure, development, and planning.
We held healing sessions and celebrated a year of the establishment of the Black Caucus AND the first in-person meeting of our Women’s Caucus! The Women’s Caucus is our second identity-based caucus, and part of our work to build spaces where electeds can come together over shared experiences and struggles. If you are interested in establishing an additional identity caucus, please fill out this brief form.
For folks who attended, Whova will remain open so that you can continue to access materials and resources for all of the sessions (including the ones that may not have been able to attend).
If you are a local elected official who wants to get more involved in Local Progress, let us know! We have issue based steering committees, identity caucuses, state organizing, and more! And don’t forget to check out our resource library for policy guidance and inspiration!
