The People's Rally in Washington - Nov 17

Promoting a grassroots agenda for economic and social justice in the face of a right-wing President-elect and U.S. Congress, a broad coalition of environmental, labor, and consumer groups—along with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)—are gathering for a "People's Rally" in Washington, D.C. on Thursday afternoon.

The rally takes place as progressive groups around the country are organizing together to mount an opposition to the right-wing policies and xenophobic rhetoric promoted by President-elect Donald Trump.

"Common concerns will be support for an agenda of creating good paying, environmentally friendly jobs, rejecting the threat by House Speaker Paul Ryan to privatize Medicare, climate action, and an end to threats against people of color, women, and LGBT people that have escalated since the election," said the National Nurses United (NNU) union, one of the groups organizing the action, in a press statement.

The demonstrators will also celebrate the apparently successful fight against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which followed months of protesting and lobbying from progressive advocacy groups.

That success "indicates the power of a unified, community movement and grassroots activism that will have even greater urgency in the coming years," said Jean Ross, RN, co-president of NNU.

And the action will also voice loud opposition to the attacks on marginalized groups that have followed Trump's election. "Nurses know that public health begins with personal safety, that is endangered by threats to your family or exposure to hate crimes. It is incumbent on all of us to speak out today," said Ross.

Participating organizations include National Nurses United, Communications Workers of America, 350.org, Our Revolution, the Sierra Club, United Steelworkers, Millenials for Revolution, the People for Bernie, #AllofUs, and Public Citizen, among many others.