Bring the Procession for the Future to Your Campus or Town!

[eridani]

http://backbonecampaign.org/page.cfm?id=129

The Backbone Campaign presents the Procession for the Future, a creative organizing tool for inspiring students, youth, and others to be effective citizen activists in a crucial election year.

The Procession for the Future is a touring parade, using high production value art and spectacle to animate our aspirations and deliver a compelling progressive vision for the country. The 8-12 giant puppets and floats will portray in iconic form a set of progressive policy priorities, such as:

Fair Trade, Living Wage Jobs & Healthy Local Economies
Climate Stabilization, Ecological Sustainability & Renewable Energy
End of War, Dismantling of Empire & the Military Industrial Complex
Election Integrity & Renewal of Democracy
Housing, Education and Health Care for All
Humane & Fair Immigration Policy
Celebration of Diversity & Elimination of Racial Disparities
Governmental Accountability and Transparency


Future Festival and Training Grounds

Following each Procession, these festival art pieces will circle in a campus commons or community park. Students and community members drawn by the creative imagery will be guided through, collecting talking points on progressive policy priorities for 2008. Combined, these talking points will comprise a bird-dogging "Eight for '08 Platform" to hold candidates accountable to progressive policy proposals. The platform education will be augmented with additional organizer trainings from Backbone Campaign, Ruckus Society and others to arm students with effective tools to claim their role as guardians and authors of their future. Participants will learn how to bring attention and results to their cause, using tools such as freeway bannering, puppet building, non-violent direct action and more.

Art Is an Instrument for Social Change

Bertold Brecht wrote, "Art is not a mirror with which we reflect reality, but a hammer with which we shape it." The Backbone Campaign believes that the artistic and energizing approach proposed in the Procession for the Future is an antidote to a dominant sense of powerlessness on campuses and throughout the country. We know that art can help shape the political landscape in this country. Igniting the imagination and passion of your community can transform fear and disillusionment into hope and engagement. Together we can create a future we are proud to hand our children.

We Are All In This Together

The Backbone Campaign is partnering with progressive organizations such as the Institute for Policy Studies, Ruckus Society and the Organic Consumer's Association to support student groups such as Democratizing Education and SDS to bring the Procession for the Future to universities and community groups around the country during Spring, Summer and Fall of 2008. We will launch the Procession on March 4th (March Forth!), 2008 in Portland, Oregon.

To bring this traveling parade and activist training to your campus, event or community call [phone] or email info {at} backbonecampaign.org for more information.

The Backbone Campaign is a 501(c)3 and is not affiliated with any political party or candidate. Our work is designed to support a growing progressive popular movement. If you would like to contribute to the Procession for the Future project please become a member of our Lumbar Club.

[eridani]

1. Cool slides from the project

http://backbonecampaign.org/pagen.cfm?name=slideshows

Check out the great photos in the Procession for the Future slide show here. Just try not to get excited about bringing the Procession to your campus or community. We bet you won't be able to resist. In Portland, all this beauty was complimented with cutting edge activist trainings and inspirational speakers. Keep the momentum rolling and invite us to march forth in your town.

Thank you again to everybody who helped realize this dream and created this visibility and educational tool for our movement.

Bill Moyer
Backbone Campaign

PS - We are still interested in adding imagery for Election Integrity, Dismantling Oppression, Housing, Transportation, Education and more, so call if you have ideas or would like to sponsor a particular piece.