May 24, 2019
CPD Action works to create equity, opportunity and a dynamic democracy in partnership with high-impact base-building organizations, organizing alliances and progressive unions. It works on campaigns that promote a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. Thanks in part to support from Voqal, CPD Action built the infrastructure needed to move activists from online channels to direct action in communities like Milwaukee.
In Milwaukee, CPD Action’s partners, Leaders Igniting Transformation, asked for support to fight against a school board disciplinary policy that was going to have a disparate impact against youth of color. Through CPD Action’s online organizing tactics and strategy, it worked in tandem with Milwaukee youth to create a petition that would drive emails to the Milwaukee Public Schools Board. It mobilized the media to help cover the hearings that had been hastily created without notifying the community and launched an online campaign to drive emails and calls to the board.
By the end of the third day of the campaign, over 16,000 emails had been sent sharing frustration at how the situation and policy had been created. Thanks to these actions, the Milwaukee School Board moved forward with a focus on being inclusive of youth voice and opinion when considering the disciplinary policy.
This effort in Milwaukee is just one example of how CPD Action uses digital organizing to connect activists to campaigns in local communities. At Voqal we are strong believers that an engaged and empowered public is central to creating a more socially equitable world. We are proud to have supported this work and look forward to the continued work of CPD Action to leverage digital tools to support grassroots progressive campaigns all across the United States.