All articles tagged with #progressive movement
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will introduce Zohran Mamdani at his New Year’s Day inauguration, which will also feature Bernie Sanders administering the oath, highlighting the prominence of the progressive movement in New York City politics.
Zohran Mamdani delivers a passionate speech emphasizing the power of grassroots activism and unity among New Yorkers to fight against inequality, corruption, and authoritarian threats, advocating for progressive policies and a brighter future for the city. He highlights the importance of voting and collective action to challenge the status quo and realize a more just and equitable New York.
President Biden is making strides in winning back progressive, pro-Palestinian voters who had previously criticized his support for Israel, with some activists acknowledging a shift in his stance. Meanwhile, Trump's recent statement on leaving abortion decisions to states has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, but some GOP operatives see it as an opportunity to shape the party's position on the issue. In the Michigan Senate race, former Rep. Mike Rogers, endorsed by Trump, is facing backlash from both MAGA supporters and Never Trumpers, creating a chaotic primary that Michigan Democrats hope will leave the GOP with a damaged nominee. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent presidential bid is facing challenges in gaining support from baby boomers, who are paying close attention to the 2024 campaign.
Young progressives in Wisconsin are leading a protest vote campaign in the state's Democratic primary to express opposition to President Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The "uninstructed" movement aims to send a message to the administration, with a focus on garnering 20,000 votes for the uninstructed option. This movement reflects a broader trend of using the uninstructed or uncommitted ballot line as a form of protest in several states. The campaign seeks to pressure Biden and the Democratic Party to change their stance on the war in Gaza, reflecting a generational divide and a shift in public opinion against Israel's actions.
Chicago voters rejected a proposed increase to the city’s transfer tax on high-value properties, which was intended to fund homeless programs. The referendum, supported by progressives but opposed by the real estate industry, aimed to raise transfer taxes on properties selling for over $1 million. The result has raised questions about the strength of the city’s progressive movement and its leader, Mayor Brandon Johnson, in a city where homelessness has become more visible since the pandemic.
Vice President Kamala Harris praised a "nonpartisan" poll worker named Vasu Abhiraman in a tweet, but it backfired when it was revealed that he is actually a liberal advocate promoting the progressive movement through his work at the Alliance for Justice. Social media users criticized Harris for the oversight, calling it a "major self-own" and questioning the credibility of her staff's vetting process. Abhiraman's role in training poll workers and promoting diversity in the judiciary was also highlighted, sparking further debate about his supposed nonpartisanship.
Knock LA's voter guide for the March 2024 primary election in Los Angeles highlights progressive candidates for various city council districts and the board of supervisors, urging voters to reject the status quo and support candidates committed to affordable housing, public safety reform, and addressing homelessness. The guide recommends candidates such as Jillian Burgos, Nithya Raman, Eddie Anderson, Serena Oberstein, Ysabel Jurado, Holly Mitchell, Janice Hahn, Konstantine Anthony, and George Gascón, while cautioning against incumbents and candidates with questionable records.
Chileans have voted against a new conservative constitution, opting to keep the current 1980 constitution in place. The rejection is seen as a bittersweet result for Chile's progressives and leftwing government, as it means the constitutional question remains unresolved. The proposed constitution contained controversial clauses that threatened women's rights, including access to safe abortions. The vote reflects the ongoing political uncertainty in Chile and the need for a more inclusive approach to constitutional reform.
Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, has declared that he does not align with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, particularly on issues related to Israel and immigration. Fetterman has openly supported Israel's right to defend itself during the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has drawn criticism from the far-left voices in his party. He has also criticized his party for not pushing out Senator Bob Menendez, who was federally indicted for alleged involvement in a bribery scheme. Fetterman takes a unique stance on immigration, favoring policies to restrict the flow of migration while still being pro-immigration. Despite these differences, Fetterman continues to vote with President Biden's policies the majority of the time.
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who previously positioned himself as a progressive, announced that he is not a progressive and distanced himself from the movement. Fetterman's shift in stance comes after disagreements with other progressive lawmakers over his support for Israel and calls for tougher immigration laws. Meanwhile, a 10-inch-thick binder containing highly classified raw data on Russian election interference went missing during the final days of the Trump administration. Donald Trump's former lawyers and co-defendants in the Fulton County, Georgia, case wrote brief apology letters for their role in trying to overturn the 2020 election. Republicans have chosen Mazi Melesa Pilip, a local legislator born in Ethiopia and an Israel Defense Forces veteran, as their candidate for New York's 3rd congressional district, despite her limited political experience. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, who has criticized the Biden family's use of shell companies, has been found to have engaged in similar behavior himself. Texas Senator Ted Cruz has avoided commenting on a controversial abortion case in his state, raising speculation about the impact on his reelection chances. Elon Musk plans to create his own school and university in Austin, Texas, with a $100 million donation to his charity, The Foundation. Hunter Biden risked a contempt of Congress charge by appearing outside the Capitol Building to criticize Republicans for their closed-door deposition in the impeachment inquiry against him. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley admitted that there is no evidence of wrongdoing by President Joe Biden in the impeachment inquiry.
The far-left's explicit support for Hamas and their antisemitic messaging is damaging the progressive movement. By siding with terrorists and dismissing the murder of Israeli civilians, these activists are not only morally wrong but also undermining left-wing policy goals, including the cause for Palestinian self-determination. Their divisive behavior and performative activism alienate potential allies and hinder progress. The far-left must recognize the damage they have done and prioritize empathy and coalition-building over ego-driven outrage.
The progressive movement in Allegheny County's Democratic Party continues to gain momentum, with progressive candidates winning key local elections and pushing for more progressive policies. This trend is driven by a growing grassroots political activism and a desire for change among younger voters. Despite some pushback from more moderate Democrats, the progressive takeover shows no signs of slowing down.
Helen Gym, a city council member and daughter of Korean immigrants, is running for mayor of Philadelphia and is seen as a rising star in the national progressive movement. Gym's decades-long history of activism and legislative successes have made her an ideal candidate to lead Philadelphia and highlight the movement's recent successes at the local level. Victory for Gym in Tuesday's Democratic primary would make her the city's first woman and Asian American mayor. The left's focus on local races is a departure for a movement that is now more uniformly focused on remaking the Democratic Party from the bottom up.
Bernie Sanders has endorsed President Joe Biden for re-election in 2024, stating that there are not many alternatives to supporting him. Despite disagreeing with Biden on several policies, Sanders believes that the future of American democracy is at stake and that progressives should rally around the president to keep a Republican out of the White House. Biden's approval rating has hit an all-time low, but he only faces token opposition for the Democratic nomination from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson.
Senator Bernie Sanders stated that he doesn't have many alternatives beyond supporting President Biden's reelection in 2024, as the future of American democracy is at stake. Sanders previously announced that he would not launch a competing bid for the White House in 2024, despite disagreeing with Biden on many issues. He believes that the progressive movement's job is to rally the people of the country to complete some of the efforts that have begun in the first administration.