As the 2016 show (or dumpster fire, as some might put it) goes on and the Democratic National Convention quickly approaches, activists are hoping the things that inspire them to become politically engaged in the first place don't fall by the wayside as the general election draws near.
In Orlando this weekend, 187 members of the Democratic National Committee's Platform Committee will convene to fine-tune the list of key issues the nominee sorta-kinda promises to tackle if he or she (probably she in this case) wins in November. It follows several meetings convened by the 15-member drafting committe appointed by presumptive Dem nominee Hillary Clinton, her opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Each got to name a handful of committee members; notables include Cornel West and Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison (whom Sanders nominated), Center for American Progress director Neera Tanden (a Clinton nominee) and California Congresswoman Barbara Lee (whom Wasserman Schultz nominated).
Such a roster has led to a somewhat more progressive platform than in past years, but there's still disagreement between moderates and progressives on a few issues.
While the major party candidate that isn't Donald Trump may deem it wise to embrace a platform that doesn't make moderate voters' or monied big business donors uncomfortable (this, basically), members of the party who want to want it to embrace more radical (or, some might say, exciting) ideas going into the general election think the opposite.
That's why Florida supporters of Sanders' presidential bid (those don't believe what they read in clickbait articles, anyway) are doing what they can to convince the party to take a bolder stance on a number of issues going into November.
A collection of grassroots pro-Sanders groups, which includes Tampa Bay for Bernie, has submitted a list of amendments to the current platform to the DNC platform committee.
The additions they hope will make the final cut are a progressive's dream:
- A $15 an hour minimum wage.
- A "housing-first" solution for ending homelessness.
- Opposition to the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Clinton has supported.
- Legalize marijuana.
- Support Palestinian statehood.
- Universal healthcare
- Support of the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013.
- A ban on the practice of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking").
- Better EPA enforcement of rules governing water quality.
The group said language featured in Sanders' subcommittees on each issue will supersede the language they provided.
"Our intentions are to show our support for these important issues that were either left out or softly defined," wrote Amos Miers of Tampa Bay for Bernie in a letter dated July 4.
Environmental groups concerned about fossil fuel companies' influence also plan on showing up.
Concerned about some Democrats' acceptance of hydraulic fracturing, a practice that involves basically using water and chemicals to crack open the earth in order to extract precious fossil fuels, a coalition of environmental advocates hopes to call out the practice, which Clinton has supported in the past. (As noted above, Florida Sanders supporters also list a fracking ban as something they'd like the platform to include).
The environmentalists plan to hold a press conference at the DoubleTree Orlando at 12:15 p.m. Friday ahead of the platform committee's 3 p.m. meeting.
"A number of the Democratic Platform Committee Members will shed light on the environmental injustice taking place across the country and explain how the oil and gas industry has specifically targeted low-income communities and communities of color for fracking and has relied on intimidation and bullying tactics. The oil and gas industry is lobbying to leave states to regulate fracking, because their money has bought them unparalleled power in over 30 state governments that currently allow fracking," reads a statement from a spokesperson for a coalition of environmental advocates.
Josh Fox, Director of 2011 Academy Award-nominated “Gasland” and Democratic Platform Committee Member and a number of others are expected to speak.
All of the party's delegates will vote on the platform at the convention, which takes place in Philadelphia starting July 25.
This article appears in Jul 7-14, 2016.