PHOTO/BRETT JELINEK
“If you want to strengthen democracy where it matters most — in our communities, our schools, our workplaces and local economies, military, government, media, constitution — you will find something inspiring in Madison in August, 2013. Democracy is coming . . . to the U.S.A.”
The Peoples Tribune’s Sandy Reid, interviewed Adam Porton, one of the organizers for the upcoming Democracy Convention:
People’s Tribune: Adam, what is the Democracy Convention
Adam Porton: The Democracy Convention is a gathering that brings together people from around the country who want to strengthen and build the democracy movement. The overall goal is to leave people, whether experienced organizers or regular folks from around the country, empowered to continue organizing around these issues in their own communities.
PT: Could you speak about the destruction of democracy that is going on today.
AP: I think the way we have the convention set up speaks to this. There are actually nine conferences and each one deals with democratizing a different part of our society. So, for example, there is an Economic Democracy Conference, an Earth Democracy Conference, a Constitutional Reform Conference, a Media Democracy Conference, a Race and Democracy Conference, a Local Democracy Conference, etc. At each of these conferences, participants and session organizers will talk about how we can build a democracy movement that brings democracy to these different areas.
PT: What role do the corporations play in the destruction of democracy?
AP: I think the unchecked power of the corporations over the last 100 years has played a key role in the destruction of democracy in many, many areas. That’s everything from the consolidation of major media organizations which restrict access of different points of view to the massive amounts of money that corporations are now allowed to spend to influence our election, to the massive influence corporations are able to have over our political process by lobbying to deregulate pretty much every industry we have.
PT: What is the relationship between economic and political democracy?
AP: Economic democracy underpins true political democracy. In our economic democracy conference, we will explore these themes further, talking about ways that regular people can fight for things like participatory budgeting, state and locally owned banks and the expansion of worker and community owned cooperatives.
PT: What’s your vision of a democratic society?
AP: I think it’s one where in all of the areas we have discussed, and that the convention will address, we have true democracy. That means that in those areas, at the end of the day, the people rule, the people are the ultimate decision makers, not just on paper but in reality. A democratic society would lead to everything, both civil and political liberties, being respected, but also their social and economic rights: food, education and healthcare would be met.
PT: How can people get information about the Convention?
AP: You can find out more about the convention and register at democracyconvention.org. Also, some of the bigger name speakers scheduled are Gar Alperovitz, Debra White Plume, Dr. Jill Stein, Cheri Honkala, Tim DeChristopher, and Cindy Sheehan. Most likely, Jeremy Scahill will also speak. And many other terrific organizers will be speaking and presenting from around the country.
Sandra Reid is co-editor of the People’s Tribune.
