Let’s face it, the 2017 legislative session in Vermont lacked both a rejection of the Trump agenda and a bold vision for the state we seek to build.
We had a few successes—Racial Justice Reform, PTSD coverage for first responders, Paid Family Leave passing the House— but, we have not yet seen the bold vision for progressive change we need.
It is time to turn up the heat.
This summer, Rights & Democracy will host Town Halls throughout the state as we reclaim our political power to create real and lasting change on issues such as universal healthcare, energy democracy, economic justice, and much more.
Our kickoff event will feature a lineup of great national and local artists: The Leatherbound Books, Tyler Preston, and Robin Shafto! We are also featuring guest speaker which includ Bill McKibben, Shannon Jackson of Our Revolution, Ali Dieng for Burlington Ward 7 City Councilor, a founding RAD board member and Burlington City Council candidate, Darlene Mary, Jeffrey P. Caesar, James Haslam, Jessica Early and more!
Join us in person if you’re in Burlington: Stop by the North End Studios at 294 No. Winooski Ave. at 6 PM for some pre-launch festivities.
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Sign up at http://www.radvt.org/democracy2017 to stream the event from your home and invite your friends and neighbors to watch!
RAD members across the state are hosting kickoff house parties to bring people together to translate the energy from mass mobilizations like the Women's March into real and lasting change in our communities, our elections, and our legislature.
BURLINGTON DEMOCRACY SUMMER KICKOFF (this event)
BTV + statewide house parties http://www.radvt.org/btv_democracy_summer_kickoff
PLAINFIELD DEMOCRACY SUMMER KICKOFF
Plainfield Coop http://www.radvt.org/plainfield_democracy_summer_kickoff
BENNINGTON DEMOCRACY SUMMER KICKOFF
Jim Vires' Home http://www.radvt.org/bennington_democracy_summer_kickoff
BRATTLEBORO DEMOCRACY SUMMER KICKOFF
Oak Meadows, Brattleboro http://www.radvt.org/brattleboro_democracy_summer_kickoff
PUTNEY DEMOCRACY SUMMER KICKOFF
http://www.radvt.org/putney_democracy_summer_kickoff
MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS DEMOCRACY SUMMER KICKOFF
Robin Chesnut Tangerman's Home http://www.radvt.org/middletown_springs_democracy_summer
MONTPELIER DEMOCRACY SUMMER KICKOFF
http://www.radvt.org/montpelier_democracy_summer_kickoff
BRISTOL DEMOCRACY SUMMER KICKOFF
Yarn & Yoga http://www.radvt.org/bristol_democracy_summer_kickoff
STOWE DEMOCRACY SUMMER KICKOFF
Stowe Free Library (90 Pond St, Stowe, VT) http://www.radvt.org/stowe_democracy_summer_kickoff
HANCOCK DEMOCRACY SUMMER KICKOFF
The Gathering Inn (1295 Route 100)
http://www.radvt.org/hacock_democracy_summer
If you’re interested in hosting a Democracy Summer Kickoff House Party, fill out this survey: http://www.radvt.org/democracy2017
When we receive your RSVP, we will provide you with a House Party "toolkit” to help you organize your event. Once you provide your event details, we will post the event on our website so that you can invite your friends and neighbors, as well as share via social media.
We have a lot of work to do: the October special legislative session to deal with federal budget cuts, the upcoming 2018 legislative session, as well elections on Town Meeting Day and the 2018 midterms.
This summer and fall we must organize, train, and mobilize people to be leaders in their local communities and run for office in the upcoming elections. Join us to organize together for the change our state and our world desperately need.
Together We Win!