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ABOUT PDA

OUR MISSION

Mission Statement: Progressive Democrats of America

Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and our country. We seek to build a party and government controlled by citizens, not corporate elites-with policies that serve the broad public interest, not just private interests.

As a grassroots organization operating inside the Democratic Party, and outside in movements for peace and justice, PDA has played a key role in the rise of the progressive movement. Our inside/outside strategy is guided by the belief that a lasting majority will require a revitalized Democratic Party built on firm progressive principles.

For many decades, the Democratic Party declined as its leadership listened more to the voices of corporations and the donor class than those of average Americans. PDA strives to rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up – from every congressional district to statewide party structures to the corridors of power in Washington, where we cooperate with the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

In its short history, PDA has succeeded in shaking up the political status-quo with its stated opposition to the Iraq war and to excessive military budgets; advocacy for universal single-payer healthcare, racial and economic justice; fighting environmental racism and the climate emergency; support for voter rights and the Equal Rights Amendment; and, notably, being the first national organization to ask Bernie Sanders to run for President as a Democrat, launching the Run Bernie Run campaign in early 2014.

OUR BASIC PRINCIPLES

Progressive Democrats of America is guided by the progressive vision of a renewed nation, fully integrated into the community of nations and peoples, respectful of the rule of law at home and abroad, and committed to the universal values of human dignity, justice and respect, and stewardship of the planet on which we live.

Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and our country. We seek to build a party and government controlled by citizens, not corporate elites—with policies that serve the broad public interest, not just private interests. We are a grassroots PAC operating inside the Democratic Party, and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our inside/outside strategy is guided by the belief that a lasting majority will require a revitalized Democratic Party built on firm progressive principles. Progressive Democrats of America’s vision is rooted in the aspirations of all people for liberty, economic opportunity, guarantees of civil and human rights, peace, and social justice.

Progressive Democrats of America is guided by the progressive vision of a renewed nation, fully integrated into the community of nations and peoples, respectful of the rule of law at home and abroad, and committed to the universal values of human dignity, justice and respect, and stewardship of the planet on which we live. Therefore, Progressive Democrats of America stands in opposition to militarism, corporatism, and economic and military imperialism. We believe that our domestic and international policies must be reoriented from maintaining a worldwide military empire to one of meeting the needs of our citizens for healthcare, education, nutrition, decent housing, and jobs. We believe that our tax system must be based on the idea of a graduated system of payment in which the corporations and wealthy pay their fair share. We believe that government has a moral and constitutional responsibility to foster the welfare and prosperity of the people under its jurisdiction. It is our responsibility to form a government that can enact that mandate.

We believe that the bill of rights is an inviolable covenant with the American people and accept as our solemn mission the defense of our constitutionally guaranteed liberties. Our heritage stems from the great social and liberation movements of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and we are in solidarity with the labor, woman’s rights, civil rights, environmental and peace, and justice movements of today. We support the right of all people to organize trade unions and bargain collectively. We oppose any restrictions upon or intimidation of the people to organize in efforts to protect their rights. We support peoples around the world who struggle for basic human rights and self-determination.

OUR HISTORY

PDA was founded in July 2004 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, during the 2004 National Democratic Convention. A thousand activists—many from the presidential campaigns of Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich—gathered in Roxbury to hear talks by Dean, Kucinich, Rep. Barbara Lee, Tom Hayden, Granny D, Medea Benjamin, and many others.

In January 2005, PDA helped organize televised hearings on the voting “irregularities” in Ohio. Chaired by Rep. Conyers, and supported by a wide coalition of concerned organizations, we helped bring to light the abuses, errors, and other problems which remain troubling to this day. PDA continues our work to guarantee clean, fair, and transparent elections.

Later that month, PDA Executive Director Tim Carpenter, a longtime campaigner for peace and justice, welcomed 500 activists to the PDA national conference in Washington, D.C., amid a snowstorm at the University of D.C., Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. gave the keynote address. Greg Moore, DNC veteran, and NAACP Voter Education Fund Director, said he’d never seen so much energy and maturity so soon after an electoral defeat. Conference participants dedicated themselves to victory understanding that would require reconstructing the Democratic Party from the grassroots, based on firm principles. In pursuit of that mission, organizing continued.

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READ MORE ABOUT PDA'S HISTORY

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PDA

Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ-03) PDA Advisory Board Member Congressional Progressive Caucus

“In just a few years, PDA and its allies have shaken up the political status quo on issues that range from ending the war in Iraq, protecting Social Security and fighting for a full employment economy, national health care and economic justice. I commend PDA for its bold agenda and actions, and I stand with PDA and its membership in the fight for the rights of the 99%”

Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Hip Hop Caucus, Washington, DC

“While the Hip Hop community is skeptical of the left movement because of its lack of base in communities of color, the Progressive Democrats of America’s current outreach and willingness to have people of color in its core leadership have shown everyone what it means to have a united front encompassing diverse constituencies.”

Jim Hightower, PDA Advisory Board Member, Austin, Texas

“A new group called Progressive Democrats of America is organizing at the grassroots to put the kick back in the Democratic donkey. About time.”

Medea Benjamin, PDA Advisory Board Member, Global Exchange/CodePink, Washington, DC

“Devastated by the results of the 2004 election, I was looking for a group that would help unite progressive Democrats with others, like the Greens, to form a ‘big tent’ for those who believe in social justice and peace. . .PDA has proven to be a creative, dynamic force for everything from electoral reform to ending the war in Iraq. I’m honored to be on the PDA board.”

Mimi Kennedy, PDA Advisory Board Member, Los Angeles, CA

“PDA is making politics more user-friendly for progressive peace and justice activists. Organized people power can still overturn the minority dominion of money, violence and lies in American politics.”

John Nichols, The Nation, Madison, WI

“John Nichols, writer for the Nation Magazine, discussed Progressive Democrats of America’s efforts to end the wars, healthcare not warfare, accountability, wall street, reform, taxing the wealthy and corporations, and more on the eve of the Iowa Caucus.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-09), PDA Advisory Board Member, Member of Congress, Washington, DC

“The strategic activism of Progressive Democrats of America gives me new hope that the Democratic Party and our country can be turned around. Out of the ashes and despair of the 2004 election, PDA has been carrying the torch for progressive activism—PDA is working hard to establish chapters in every congressional district. I was there when PDA launched in Roxbury, Mass., and I’m spreading the word about PDA everywhere I go.”

Bob Fertik, President, Democrats.com, New York, NY

“PDA is the most dynamic progressive organization in the U.S. They are principled, fearless, and proud.”
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