Steel drum orchestra opening the show.  Really cool.  They're called Positive Vibrations.  Are they DC-basd?

Opening intro video.

You can watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_fosM1Sc ug

Opening prayers.  One of the co-presenters is the Gamaliel Foundation, a national progressive faith organization.

Deepak Bhargava and Ana Garcia Ashley talk about REAL transformative change.  POWERFUL speech.  If you have a chance, check it out here:

http://www.realizingthepromise.org/webca st

Deepak is up:

How is community organizing going to change post-election?  From the politics of protest to challenges of government is the road of community organizing

We are no longer beating down on the doors of power, but we are actually at the table proposing solutions to the problems our communities are facing.

"not to oppose, but to propose"  - great quote by Deepak.

ROLL CALL!

32 states and I think 3 countries are here.

I saw NHK, a Japanese tv producer here.

Really emphasizing how this past election was about US, not Obama, and it is WE who hold the true keys to democracy.

Love how there's a strong analysis of who WE really are.  They really emphasize how WE truly means everybody.  We organize across lines of race, gender, sexuality, ability, etc.

Really great speakers from community organizations.  Hope those politicians are prepared.

Janet Murguia of National Council of La Raza is reflecting on the moment.  She says that the former ED of NCLR is now on Obama's administration now.  Her name is Cecilia Munoz.  She's also a former board member of the Center for Community Change - one of the organizers of the event.

That's HUGE.  

http://www.realizingthepromise.org

For those on Flickr, i'm connected to their group so you can take a look at the photos of the event:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/988517@N22/

Ralph McCloud of US Conference of Bishops talking about how faith and democracy are connected.  That the true path of faith leads us to compassion, dignity, and justice.

Inspirational stuff.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen of MD now about to speak!!!  3rd most powerful Congress member in the House.

Miguel Diaz of CASA de Maryland introducing.  Gosh, his wife was taken by ICE right in front of their children.  STILL separated.  2 years.  He says that we can longer be silent.  Emotional.  We gotta fight.

Rep. Van Hollen is up.

Now is the time that the REAL work begins.  Election day is over but our work, our movement must continue day after day keeping the administration accountable.

He's saying that some folks on the Hill are going to try to keep things status quo.  Wonder who he's referring to...haha!

Keeps on saying how our government is going to need REAL people working hard to organize communities and keeping the admin accountable.

Seems like a lot of sound bites, and no real proposals...yet.  Maybe later.

Obama was trained by the Gamaliel Foundation, one of the organizers of this event.

Old America vs. New America

Mix of stories in an interesting format.  creative.

Dr. Hoffman Brown of BRIDGE Gamaliel is riveting!!!!  He asks us if we're ready for a NEW AMERICA.  Crowd on their feet.

1st roundtable is up.

Mix of organizers and leaders with congressional leaders to discuss proposals for a NEW AMERICA.

The first one is called:

A People's Perspective on the Economic Crisis

WATCH IT!

http://www.RealizingThePromise.org/webca st

Juan Williams of NPR is here moderating.  Cool.

at the table:

arlene holt-baker - AFL-CIO
rep. luis gutierrez - D-IL
janice johnson - virginia organizing project
dr. lawrence mishel - economic policy institute
rep. john sarbanes - D-MD
Rev. Dr. Kevin Turman - MOSES Gamaliel

Sound problems...but the crowd is still engaged.

This is like Meet The Press.

Speakers are talking about jobs, healthcare, immigration...

http://www.RealizingThePromise.org

gutierrez talking about how we should be restructuring our financial institutions rather than bailing them out.

WORD.

Rev. Turman talkin bout how the financial crisis has disproportionately affected people of color and people living in urban areas.

question from the audience about immigration and why immigrants are always blamed for america's problems.

gutierrez answers by saying that people like to blame immigrants cause it's the easy way out.  he calls for comprehensive immigration reform.

talks about how immigrants sending back money back to their families is a GOOD thing.  It's a cycle.  They buy things back from America.  Shows how we're all in it together and we need policies that help our neighbors in immigration reform.

One thing this world needs:

mishel says JOBS and making sure the jobs go to those MOST affected by those most affected by social/economic justice.  Jobs should be the focus NOT the deficit.  Re-investment.

johnson calls for inclusive health care and refers to the guidelines in healthcareforamericanow.org or com?

turman talks about NOT bailing out the banks that have rolled over our communities.  calls for new marshall plan for our communities.  community investment.  infrastructure, green economy, etc. solves our problems. calls for more town halls.  more interaction between communities and elected officials.

holt baker talks about employee free choice act.  RIGHT TO ORGANIZE!!!  particularly for women and people of color.  

sarbanes says he agress on ALL of these.
gutierrez says yes and focuses on immigration.

he mentions chinese exclusion act.  holla.  and how it was wrong!!!!!

second roundtable called "Democracy in the New America"

participants:
Melody Barnes - Director of the Domestic Policy Council for Obama's White House
Dr. Manuel Pastor - Professor  at USC
Joseph Hansen - UFCW
Rep. Donna Edwards - D-MD
Maria Pesquiera - Mujeres Latinas en Accion (ICIRR)
Rev. Grant Stevensen - ISAIAH

Pastor talks about a change of how we view government.  A democracy that is truly people-powered.  Community organizing becomes a cornerstone of that democracy.

http://www.RealizingThePromise.org

Stevensen talks about how politicans are out of touch and how constituents are seen as cogs in a machine.  people should be central.  there should be a mechanism of constant communication between people and their elected officials

Pesquiera talks about how communities have ALWAYS been moving and we've always been building towards change.  What we want to make sure now is that we're heard!!!

Melody Barnes is up and part of Obama's transition team.  and donna edwards a rep from MD

barnes talks about we're all interconnected and says how there is expertise in the labor community, immigrant community, faith community, etc. that the government needs

government is counting on us to speak to them.  and they are listening.

obama's team says it's listening to help build solutions for this country.

Juan asks leaders what we're going to do if Obama's camp doesn't listen

Pastor says ORGANIZE and MOBILIZE!

stevensen calls for a new marshall plan with communities on the ground doing the actual rebuilding

hansen says give more power to workers

edwards is reassured that the obama camp is committed to listening to communities.

reemphasizes the importance of organizing.

barnes talks about partnership.  government isn't helping communities.  government is working in PARTNERSHIP with communities to build a better America.

Closing Address by Valerie Jarrett, Co-chair of Obama-Biden Transition Team introduced by Pastor Michael Harrison Sr. of Ohio Baptist State Collective

y'all just need to watch this.  it's too good.

http://www.realizingthepromise.org/webca st

gonna look for a video clip of Valerie's speech to post later.

are we fired up????

we're fired up!!!

Valerie says WE must lead this nation, and she is inviting grassroots communities to step up to the plate.

did you know there were 178 legislative visits leading up to this event?? including a healthcare and immigration protest too!

Gerald Hudson of SEIU helps us close with mentioning how we've always been fighting to keep bad things from happening.  now it's our time to make good things happening.  very powerful stuff.

thanks for reading!

visit http://www.RealizingThePromise.org to check out videos, analysis, and interviews.