Pushback Network

“To me, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop signifies the rising challenge that communities of color and progressive communities are posing, in that we are a majority in California and we need to recognize the power that we have and recognize that this power will only continue to grow.”
– Emily Lee, Chinese Progressive Association, San Francisco, CA

Over the weekend of March 15-16, 112 people from California and beyond attended the Can’t Stop Won’t Stop California Alliance Convening in Riverside, California. Coordinated by the California Alliance, this convening brought together various social, economic, environmental and racial justice organizations of the California Alliance, and their allies, to dissect not only California’s political landscape but also advance a common progressive agenda across the state.

By all accounts, the Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Convening was a tremendous success! Due to the knowledge imparted at the plenaries and workshops, and action, each participant walked away with concrete strategies on how to address the challenges facing California as well as how to build political power at all levels: grassroots, statewide, and national.

From the start, the energy within the Riverside Convention Center only grew with each passing minute. Honorable Karen Bass, California’s first female African American Speaker of the House, set the tone for the event. Her message was concise and powerful: “It’s all about building power.” She mentioned the need for grassroots leaders to run for office and made us think long-term about how to affect changes at both the state and national level. This got the crowd on its feet!

Following her speech was a host of activities and workshops. For example, people learned the nuts and bolts of electoral organizing, how to boost their field programs with media and messaging, and how to integrate community organizing and electoral work.

On Sunday afternoon, the convening culminated in a direct action hosted by the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ). With two buses filled to the brim, CCAEJ took everyone on a reality tour of the Inland Valley. The tour educated us on the ramifications of the Goods Movement on the Mira Loma and Glen Avon communities; provided a history of the problem; and demonstrated how the people have responded to the issue with policy remedies.

They also staged a direct action outside the home of Riverside County’s Supervisor, John Tavaglione. At his home, we demanded that he protect the public health of these communities through public policy. To see everyone marching together was a beautiful show of solidarity and a great way to end the weekend!

–Reported to Pushbacknetwork.org by Brigid Flaherty, Pushback Network, Los Angeles