Democracy for America endorses the Movement for Black Lives policy platform

BURLINGTON, Vt. -- This morning, Democracy for America, announced its endorsement of the policy platform of the Movement for Black Lives, which was first released in August 2016.  

Here’s a statement from Democracy for America’s executive director, Charles Chamberlain, on the importance of the Movement for Black Lives’ policy platform:

“Black lives matter, period.

“We believe that it’s not enough to just say Black lives matter, it’s critical that we fight to make it a reality in America. As a multi-issue progressive political organization with over one million members nationwide, we stand with, support, and follow the lead of Black organizers and activists working every single day to end structural racism and the culture of white supremacy that dominates American culture, politics and institutions.

“Over the past two years, we’ve done this by backing diverse candidates for federal, state, and local office who bring the life experiences, cultural understanding, and community relationships needed to help our country build a substantially more representative democracy.

“Today, we’re taking our work one step further by formally endorsing the thoughtful, bold, and forward looking policy platform developed by the Movement for Black Lives earlier this year.  

“Communities of color have spent years protesting the over-policing that occurs on their streets, the disinvestment in their neighborhoods and schools, and the mass incarceration of men and women of color, but politicians have yet to enact real reforms that will put an end to the atrocities that people of color experience every day. The Movement for Black Lives’ policy platform provides a solid blueprint for local, state, and federal governments to use when enacting legislation that seeks to grow, repair, and rebuild communities of color around the country.

“Similarly important, the Movement for Black Lives’ policy platform is an ideal catalyst for the substantive, results-oriented conversations the current and future leaders of the Democratic Party must have with the communities they serve.  For decades, communities of color have been among Democrats most reliable supporters. If that relationship is to continue, that reliability must be met with action and requires not just a seat at the table, but a decisive say in developing, creating and implementing how and what our party fights for going forward.  

“Democracy for America is a committed partner with the Movement for Black Lives in its fight for racial justice, criminal justice reform, and economic justice for historically marginalized communities.  We encourage all elected Democrats, movement leaders, and progressive organizations to join us in actively supporting the the Movement for Black Lives and this historic policy platform.” -- Charles Chamberlain, Executive Director, Democracy For America

DFA, is a member-driven, people-powered progressive PAC with more than one million members nationwide committed to taking on income inequality, money in politics, and structural racism.