On the first Friday of each month the Labor Department releases the previous month's unemployment numbers, and the issue of unemployment and joblessness gets some attention from the news media. Let’s ramp up – put a spotlight on these figures and help call attention to the overwhelming need for job creation and support of Labor.

The National Jobs for All Coalition is urging groups and unemployed workers to hold news conferences, vigils and pickets at unemployment offices, and to take other creative action to demand jobs and an effective safety net.

The next First Friday Action day will be August 7th.
In September the First Friday will the 3rd, Labor Day weekend. We are asking people to carry “Jobs for All” signs at Labor Day events and marches. Local organizers are encouraged to choose the day to do your action but please do some action this summer.

http://www.njfac.org/ - for more information.

Friday September 4th to Friday October 2nd will be "Jobs and Safety Net Action Month".

Justice Activists Convene in Atlanta
Progressive Dialogue on Organizing Strategies during a Potential Depression
January 23-24th, 2009—Atlanta, GA

People were present from the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Wisconsin and California.

The goals of the dialogue were summarized this way: “We believe it is time for a weekend conversation focused on organizing strategies to address structural inequality, injustice, poverty and other social and economic ills. We have a new President and Congress, but without strong and coordinated grassroots action, we will not see the kinds of changes needed by workers, low-income people and people of color. Together we will strategize about how to take action during this crisis so that we can emerge with the greatest power for the changes we need.”

How many of us have said it; especially about our local elected officials? “I could do a better job than that!” Well, jump in and run for office!

Many opportunities exist for “regular” people to win elections at the local level. You may be surprised that a local health or school board, city council or district seat is uncontested and your progressive vision and leadership could make a HUGE difference.

This continues to be a great year for our work and for progressive base building. The candidates certainly continue to help build a strong case for progressive independent politics!

IPPN is taking on strategic thinking about the organization’s future and we need your help. Please take 10 or 15 minutes to complete this survey about IPPN’s role and our future.

Click here to take the survey

The Independent Progressive Politics Network (IPPN) works from what, at the surface, may seem contradictory beliefs that 1) the current political system (especially at the national level) can do little to affect change for those most in need of justice in the US and the world because both the Democratic and Republican parties place corporate interests above all else and 2) grassroots driven electoral participation with equal access and clean elections is essential in addressing the ongoing injustices rooted in racism, economic and environmental oppression that the national parties continue to ignore.

Our goal is the transformation of this country through the unity of its peoples in active opposition to racism, sexism, homophobia, economic class exploitation, age discrimination and all other forms of oppression and discrimination. We are committed to the involvement of people of color, women, workers and young people in key leadership positions within IPPN and within the independent progressive movement. We provide written materials and publish a quarterly newspaper, reach out to new organizations and activists, maintain a web site and electronic discussion lists, organize conferences and engage in activities that further these objectives.

IPPN joined the National Planning Committee (NPC) for the United States Social Forum (USSF, the Forum) in December 2006. In the months that followed trips to Oakland, Chicago, Baltimore, DC, and Philadelphia focused on outreach and organizing as ongoing work in the Southeast continued. We helped organize workshops through United for Peace and Justice and with IPPN member groups to highlight the need to participate in the USSF and IPPN Summit. We also worked to bring the voices of grassroots leaders and groups to the planning process.

The Forum was intended to be an open space to build stronger relationships among groups working for fundamental national change. The NPC acknowledged that strategy, while needed and forthcoming, had to be built on the establishment of effective communication and trusting relationships. IPPN’s ability to build effective strong relationships and address community building continues to be a benefit to the NPC.

Our appreciation to firemagic50 for offering this short message, plugging the work of the IPPN. Its called Building Community.