By Katie Gjertson
MNA Political Coordinator
MNA Political Coordinator
This June 9 – 11, several thousand progressive activists from across the country will gather in Chicago for the People’s Summit 2.0. It’s a multi-organizational, multi-racial, multi-issue conference, co-hosted by the National Nurses United. The event goals are to form a broad coalition committed to building a people’s movement united around social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
MNA members are invited to attend, and those who haven’t been to an event like this before are the perfect candidate. These events feature high-powered speeches by progressive leaders that will leave participants fired up to get involved. Here are some questions and answers:
What is the speaking program like at the People’s Summit?
This year’s program is headlined by Senator Bernie Sanders. Other speakers include: educator Jane Sanders, activist Eve Ensler, actor Frances Fisher, actor Danny Glover, CNN commentator and Obama Administration adviser Van Jones, journalist Shaun King, author Naomi Klein, and filmmaker Michael Moore.
What kind of education sessions will be featured at the People’s Summit?
There will be educational breakout sessions and opportunities to connect with progressive activists from across the country. Some of the topics for breakout sessions include: Fight for 15; mass incarceration and criminal justice reform; voting rights and expanding democratic participation; a tax on Wall Street speculation to fund human needs and jobs; climate justice toward a sustainable economy; improved Medicare for All; the fight for free and debt-free higher education; secure retirement through expanding social security; ending HIV/AIDS; achieving Constitutional pay equity for women; and ending deportations and support for DREAMers.
Why are nurses involved in the People’s Summit?
RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of National Nurses United says about the People’s Summit 2.0, “what has consistently unified us is a common vision of opposition to policies of austerity and neo-liberalism, and solidarity in supporting each other’s work on health care, environmental, racial, social, and economic justice, and breaking the corporate grip on our political and economic system.”
Save the date for June 9 – 11: More information is available at http://www.thepeoplessummit.org/. The Minnesota Nurses Association will sponsor a limited number of MNA members to attend the People’s Summit 2.0. Stay tuned for details.