“Prison.”

That was the response a 5-year-old Black girl gave at a community meeting I attended at a church in New Orleans, more than a year ago. The question: what do you and your friends call school?    

It was a devastating and unforgettable moment that animated the deep and often hidden psychological impact of the school-to-prison pipeline. What does it say about the values of society (and our education system), when such young children think of their schools and education in this way?

Every day, tens of thousands of young people of color go to schools that feel like jails. From in-school police presence to alarmingly high suspension rates, harsh disciplinary policies rooted in racial discrimination disproportionately affect Black and Brown children in our public schools. Indeed, the resulting school-to-prison pipeline is one of the most egregious manifestations of systemic racism in the United States.

The Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) continues to support Black and Brown youth from all across the country who have a clear vision of safe, inclusive, and supportive schools. Young people who are part of the CPD youth network, Youth Everywhere Rising and Resisting (YERR), have joined youth from all over the country calling for an end to the school-to-prison pipeline and police-free schools.

Youth of color reject so-called ‘school safety’ measures that criminalize them and the CPD Network is standing behind them. We are supporting the youth in demanding a focus on learning, guidance and the freedom to thrive.

Thousands of people, including many of you, showed your support for the #YouthDemand message and sent messages to the Federal Commission on School Safety demanding that it listen to this vision. Instead, the Commission has advocated for the rescission of the federal civil rights guidance on school discipline, provided a roadmap for how schools can bring more guns into school by arming personnel, and is entrenching the school-to-prison pipeline by advocating for “hardening” schools with more metal detectors,police, and military personnel.

Will you send a message to Congress that we need them to use all of their powers to end the school-to-prison pipeline now?

Young people from all across the country are saying enough. School safety is about their lives; about their daily experiences. They are calling for divestment from school policing, increased funding for more guidance counselors, mental health support and restorative justice, as well as increased pay for their teachers, among other things. They have a clear vision for their schools and they are demanding that their voices be heard.

This fight is far from over. We need your support now to continue elevating the voices and experiences of youth of color in their fight to end the school-to-prison pipeline.Your generosity allows us to work with young people and support them in realizing their vision of safe, inclusive, and supportive schools in our communities and beyond. I urge you to please make a donation to ensure that youth of color are central to the conversation about school safety.

The future of our democracy will be driven by these young visionaries. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation before the end of the year to join young people in dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline.

In solidarity,Dmitri HoltzmanDirector of Education Justice Campaigns, CPD

I used to wonder how we could keep track of the impact we have on our democracy. I mean, whenever the powerful attacked the dignity and lives of our communities, we fought back with all our heart and soul. But how could we tell if we were making a difference?

Now I know the answer. BY WINNING CHANGE – widespread change with a real impact on people’s lives, on the respect they receive, on their health, education, and futures. That’s what you help our network of partners and allies to achieve, and why we need your continued generosity.

As 2018 closes, I can look back over recent years with pride. Since 2014, we’ve been winning tangible change that has improved the lives of nearly 30 million people. For example, the CPD Network has

• Won 40 victories nationwide to raise wages and mandate paid sick time and a fair workweek for over 20 million people

• Campaigned to defend the voting and democratic rights of 8 million people

• Mobilized to protect immigrants by strengthening city sanctuary policies, keeping families together, defending Dreamers, and securing counsel and due process in 19 cities and counties, and in 11 states across the country.

But you know as well as I that the attacks on our values haven’t stopped.  So we must bring our passion to the fight, show our outrage at injustice, and work to realize our dreams of a true popular democracy. We must continue building the power of the people – from training a new generation of leaders to building infrastructure for grassroots organizing – so we can empower the New American Majority.

But we can’t do it alone. We need you. Please be generous – give now to the CPD Network (click here to donate).

To win a vibrant democracy, to ensure everyone, not just billionaires, have the freedom to thrive, we must come together.  And together we’ll win change to ensure a good education, safe, affordable housing, a solid job, and a healthy planet – for all.

Together we are mighty.  So I’m asking you, please show your support.  Help us end the year right, so we can “hit the ground running” in 2019.  With your help, we can win the change our nation truly needs.

In solidarity,Jennifer Epps-AddisonNetwork President & Co-Executive Director, CPD

This has been a deeply troubling year for America’s democracy. From pervasive, methodical voter suppression and inhumane policies that separate children from their families, to the rushed confirmation of a Supreme Court justice with a profoundly troubling track record, it has never been clearer that we are living in a distorted democracy—one in which the rules are rigged to silence the most vulnerable and fear is nurtured to keep us divided.

This #GivingTuesday, support building power by and for the people by making a donation.

 The Center for Popular Democracy (CPD), together with our network of 53 partners and affiliates in 131 cities across 34 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC, has been at the forefront of the national movement to fight back against the attacks on our communities and on our values. We are building a movement to realize our vision of popular democracy where everyone has the freedom to thrive.

 In 2018, the fight has become harder, but we have only become stronger. Watch the CPD Network breathing life into our democracy below!

We cannot do this work alone. But through collective action, we can resist this tide of hate and start to transform America into a country driven by popular democracy–courageous, sustained participation that empowers us all, and in which all people have equal access to safe places to live and learn; to a clean and sustainable environment; to freedom of movement and self-determination; and to full participation in decision-making for their lives and communities.

Your continued partnership with CPD has built this organization—we would not be here without you. As we gear up for 2019 and beyond, the stakes are higher, and we need your support more than ever.

Please support our vital work today, on #GivingTuesday.

In solidarity, Jennifer Epps-AddisonNetwork President & Co-Executive Director, CPD

As the Executive Director of the New Georgia Project (NGP), I have dedicated my life to raising the voices of our communities through building power deeply rooted in community organizing. Following in the steps of Stacey Abrams who founded the organization, NGP has a vision for Georgia where equality fosters prosperity and everyone has a chance to thrive.

There are many assumptions about what is possible in this state. We have built a multi-racial, multi-generational coalition in Georgia, taking on issues that matter most like raising the minimum wage and tackling widespread voter suppression.

Connecting with the people who want to bring about a new Georgia is how we are going to realize our vision of justice and accountability.

Since 2014, NGP has submitted more than a quarter of a million registrations for young people and voters of color across the state, who we call the “New American Majority.” This year, we defended against attacks on the integrity of Georgia's elections and voter suppression that disproportionately affects our communities.

But NGP is in it for the long haul. We fought for every single vote and will continue to fight until every voice is heard – in our state and in our country.

We know that this is what true popular democracy looks like: informed and sustained participation by and for us all.

The CPD Network makes us stronger with ongoing leadership development and organizational support. CPD has been there for us at critical moments like this one. Together we are building a growing and sustainable movement for justice our communities so deeply need. With 52 other community organizations across 34 states behind us, we know we have the power to affect real and lasting change throughout the state of Georgia and beyond.

This is a pivotal moment.

I urge you to make a donation to support the CPD Network in building power for our communities.

We are all in this together.

In solidarity,Nse UfotExecutive Director, New Georgia Project