Nevada leaders from a diverse array of partner organizations, including the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, TRENDz, Nevada Immigrant Coalition and PLAN, comprised an enthusiastic delegation to the Pushback Convening. Together, we are excited to report on the concrete nuts-and-bolts that occurred for our movement in the Silver State as a result of Pushback’s historic event in Nevada. Thanks to the workshops and conversations with our peers from across the country, the Nevada State Alliance is moving forward on creating a 501C4 and deepening our work in the census and redistricting process!
For several years, staff has recommended to the PLAN board to create a 501c4 organization. For various reasons, the board demurred. This time, we recruited a critical mass of PLAN leaders to take the 501c4 workshop at the Pushback convening. Directly following the convening, this delegation took the information to the PLAN annual meeting. The board unanimously approved the proposal and we will soon hit the ground running with this powerful political organizing tool! Furthermore, we have other Pushback partners, whose friendship and advice we truly value, in SCOPE and Neighbor to Neighbor to turn to for support!
We are especially pleased with the outpouring of support by Pushback delegates for our action against insurance giant Wellpoint, which is funding the anti-health care reform effort. One hundred Pushback Network participants, and an equal number of local activists, agitated near the offices of the WellPoint-Blue Cross franchise in Nevada to call attention to the need for health care reform—specifically around advocating for the public health care option.
Several state elected officials participated, including Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce, who gave a rousing speech. The media also turned out and prominently noted WellPoint’s hypocrisy and antagonism to needed reforms. This is the kind of thing that serves as a model for both the Nevadans and our visitors!
Here are links to media generated by the event:
Desert Beacon
Public News Service
Las Vegas Sun
And a Sun photo slide show
Prior to the convening, our alliance drew a blank on how to get involved in the census other than “partner with the government effort” or “make sure everyone’s counted!” We wanted to involve ourselves in the census due to the critical impact the count has on our communities, however we lacked ideas on meaningful avenues for participation. Participating in the Census and Redistricting Track at the National Convening changed all of that. Thanks to Southern Echo and the maps and other materials they presented at the workshop, we have already made plans for furthering this work in a big way in Nevada.
The Pushback Convening was a bold demonstration of how different this national network is in our movement. There has never been a convening like it in Nevada, and we were grateful to host such an opportunity. We have nothing but the deepest respect and appreciation to all those who participated from other states. Finally, a special HAPPY DANCE to the Pushback staff for the amazing job they did!
