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

The Backbone Campaign and our movement partners present the Procession for the Future, a creative organizing tool inspire, educate and train students, youth and concerned citizens to be more effective activists in this critical time. We first launched the Procession on March 4th (March Forth!), 2008 in Portland, Oregon. View a video of the Procession in Portland here and a slideshow here. We also co-produced a Procession outside the 2008 DNC Convention in Denver with Recreate 68 (full report here).

What is the Procession for the Future?

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 20+ plus giant puppets and inflatables portray 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

Now we have received funding from the Nathan Cummings Foundation to bring the Procession for the Future to universities and community groups around the country during Spring and Fall of 2009! This is a great opportunity to grow an inspirational, propositional popular movement to define and propel "Change we can believe in" at this critical time. Please partner with us on this exciting project.

"This artistic project is an antidote to powerlessness and division. It communicates that the issues we care about are connected, that a progressive vision for the future is beautiful, and that participating in a movement is fun!" says Backbone Campaign Director Bill Moyer.

"The Procession for the Future is an opportunity to celebrate what we propose rather than merely protest that which we oppose. It is designed to draw generations together and empower emerging and veteran activists to be more creative and effective. It is a celebration of the role We the People must play in defining and propelling change we can believe in," Moyer concludes. "When the people lead, the leaders follow."

"Like the social movements of preceding generations, the students and youth of today are ultimately responsible for the change we want to embody for the future. In these challenging times, the opportunity to build community and solidarity in defining that change literally defines the future of this country," says Brad Vehafric, Vice President of the Associated Students of Portland State University which hosted the Procession last year.

The Backbone Campaign provides creative tools that help build the progressive movement. Based on Vashon Island, WA, the Campaign is touring its Procession for the Future across the country, stopping at 10 cities and campuses. Thanks to a grant from the Nathan Cummings Foundation, the Backbone Campaign is able to offer its parade and trainings free to local campus organizers. For more information go to: http://www.processionforthefuture.org or call the Backbone Campaign office (206) 408-8058.