Hope I haven't already Posted, but it's Past Time

I'm checking out this blog.

 Outrage over the Zimmerman verdict has sparked a true movement moment—as hundreds

of thousands of MoveOn members have spoken out for justice and a more equitable and

progressive America.

You can capture the energy of this moment to bring change to your community. Start

a campaign today using MoveOn's petition platform.

Start Your Campaign

Dear MoveOn member,

In the wake of the George Zimmerman trial verdict, the past 10 days have been incredible—

a true movement moment.

It started in the immediate aftermath of the decision. Within minutes,

the NAACP launched a petition calling on the Department of Justice to open a civil

rights case against Zimmerman

. To date, more than 600,000 MoveOn members have signed, despite the largest attack

ever on our website by malicious hackers. With those signatures and others gathered

by the NAACP, more than 1 million people have added their names.

But that was just a preview of the action that was coming.

Last Tuesday,

a youth-led activist group known as the Dream Defenders began a peaceful occupation

of the Florida Capitol, what they called "Takeover Tuesday."

 They're

still

 in the Capitol today, demanding that the governor call a special legislative session

to pass "Trayvon's Law," which would address

"stand your ground" vigilantism, racial profiling, and the school-to-prison pipeline.

28,000 MoveOn members have joined in calling for the law, and some have even joined

the occupation.

This was all happening on the ground in Florida, the birthplace of the

deadly legislation known as "stand your ground"—or, more accurately, "shoot first."

But

on the Internet, a larger conversation was brewing about race in America

, after a couple of friends started a blog called WeAreNotTrayvon that went viral.

They provided a space for thousands of people to share their personal stories of

race, privilege, and struggle. And when responses to the blog became so overwhelming

that two people couldn't possibly keep up, a group of MoveOn volunteers helped keep

the momentum growing.

Then, this past Saturday, a massive day of rallies and vigils was orchestrated by

the National Action Network and supported by MoveOn members. From New York to Los

Angeles, and from Miami to Detroit,

more than 7,500 MoveOn members joined tens of thousands of other progressives

 and faith leaders—and even Beyoncé and Jay-Z—in support of Trayvon Martin's family,

and in a resounding call for justice.

Click here to get a glimpse of some of this past weekend's rallies.

Coming just weeks after the Supreme Court dealt a serious blow to voting rights,

and as the Republican House threatens the potential for immigration reform, this

moment gave glimpses of a new civil rights movement.

But we've been around long enough to know that this energy could disappear with the

next big media story—before we've even had a chance to take on the laws, policies,

and mindsets that brought us here. Challenging those three things is something that

has to happen at every level of government and society.

That's why right now is the time to launch a campaign in your community or state

about a progressive issue that matters to you.

Chances are high that you live in a state that is either actively considering or

has already enacted a "shoot first" law that needs to be overturned.

1

 Maybe you're ready to launch a statewide campaign, knowing that other MoveOn members

will be here to support you. Or maybe the threat of austerity and slashing budgets

is putting your local school district in jeopardy, and you need a base of fellow

residents to help show your outrage and disapproval.

If there's one thing this past week displayed, it is that millions of MoveOn members

are as devoted as ever to the fight for justice. And that members are ready to help

each other when it's time to campaign for a progressive future.

Click here to start your campaign today and work with other MoveOn members who'll help you win.

Thanks for all you do.

–Anna, Susannah, Stefanie, Justin, and the rest of the team

P.S. Our friends at Color of Change have started an effort to put an end to "Stand

your Ground" laws in the 26 states that have them. Click here to sign:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=291882&id=71894-9089709-XtnqMnx&t=4

And here is a look at some of the photos from this past Saturday's rallies.

Click here to view more.

Sources:

1. "Does Your State Have A Shoot First Law?" Second Chance on Shoot First, accessed

July 24, 2013

http://secondchancecampaign.org/laws/

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long way.

Chip in here.