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Putting the "Act" Back Into Activism
"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation."
- Robert F. Kennedy
Here is a list of groups working to bring about political and corporate reform. Some inform, some help empower, and some organize. They are groups that I have either been personally involved with or whose work I drew from in completing this book. Go to their websites, or call, to find out more about how to get involved.
Campaign for America's Future
An organization that works for working people, monitors corporate accountability, and has led the struggle to save Social Security. Find out more at http://www.ourfuture.org.
- 1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW
- Washington, D.C. 20036
- Tel: (202) 955-5665
- E-mail: info@ourfuture.org
Center for Public Integrity
The Center, which scrutinizes all aspects of politics and government, has written over 100 investigative reports on accountability and ethics-related issues. For its latest expose, visit http://www.publicintegrity.org.
- 910 17th St. NW, Seventh Floor
- Washington, D.C. 20006
- Tel: (202) 466-1300
- E-mail: contact@publicintegrity.org
Center for Responsive Politics
A Washington, D.C. based research group that tracks political money and studies its effect on policies and public elections. The organization seeks to promote a more informed voter as well as a more responsive government. To find out more, visit http://www.opensecrets.org.
- 1101 14th St., NW, Suite 1030
- Washington, D.C. 20005-5635
- Tel: (202) 857-0044
- E-mail: info@crp.org
Citizen Works
Citizen Works promotes strengthening citizen participation in creating a sustainable and just society. To get involved, visit http://www.citizenworks.org.
- PO Box 18478
- Washington, D.C. 20036
- Tel: (202) 265-6164
- E-mail: info@citizenworks.org
Common Cause
Founded by John Gardner in 1970, this citizen's lobbying group promotes grassroots-level activism for an open and accountable government. To become involved in shaping our nation's public policies, visit http://www.commoncause.org.
- 1250 Connecticut Ave., NW #600
- Washington, D.C. 20036
- Tel: (202) 833-1200
- E-mail: Online form at http://www.commoncause.org/forms/feedback.htm
Corporate Accountability Project
An organization of activists dedicated to Ðyou guessed itÐ holding corporations accountable for their actions. Learn "how to overthrow corporate rule in five not-so-easy steps" at http://www.corporations.org.
- 1434 Elbridge St.
- Philadelphia, PA 19149
- Tel: (215) 743-4884
- E-mail: catalyst@envirolink.org
CorpWatch
The San FranciscoÐbased group counters corporate-led globalization through education and activism. Grassroots mobilization is underway at http://www.corpwatch.org.
- PO Box 29344
- San Francisco, CA 94129
- Tel: (415) 561-6568
- E-mail: corpwatch@corpwatch.org
Democracy Rising
Founded by Ralph Nader in 2001, Democracy Rising is a nonprofit grassroots group advocating corporate reform. Empower yourself at http://www.democracyrising.com.
- 320 SW Stark Street, Suite 202
- Portland, OR 97204
- Tel: (202) 465-2764
- E-mail: jkafoury@democracyrising.org
Friends of the Earth (FOE)
An environmental organization, with affiliates in 63 countries, dedicated to preserving the health and diversity of the planet for future generations. Learn how to influence decisions affecting the quality of your environment at http://www.foe.org.
- 1025 Vermont Ave., NW
- Washington, D.C. 20005
- Tel: (202) 783-7400
- E-mail: foe@foe.org
Global Exchange
Global Exchange has launched numerous campaigns, fighting for corporate accountability, democracy, civil rights, and environmental protection. To learn more about becoming a Global Citizen, please visit http://www.globalexchange.org.
- 2017 Mission Street #303
- San Francisco, CA 94110
- Tel: (415) 558-9486
- E-mail: info@globalexchange.org
Jim Hightower's "Rolling Thunder Down-Home Democracy Tour"
Jim Hightower, along with several progressive organizations and constituencies, mixes music and education in a democracy-organizing tour that seeks to empower people. To assist in revitalizing American democracy, please visit http://www.rollingthundertour.org.
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
This national advocacy group uses law, science, and the support of more than 500,000 members across the country to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. Speak out at http://www.nrdc.org.
- 40 West 20th Street
- New York, NY 10011
- Tel: (212) 727-2700
- E-mail: nrdcinfo@nrdc.org
Natural Step
A consulting group that assists businesses in redefining their bottom lines to include social and environmental considerations. Please visit http://www.naturalstep.org.
- 116 New Montgomery Street, Suite #800
- San Francisco, CA 94105
- Tel: (415) 318-8170
- E-mail: services@naturalstep.org
Pension Rights Center
The Pension Rights Center is dedicated to protecting and promoting retirement security for all Americans. For more information, please visit http://www.pensionrights.org.
- 1140 Nineteenth Street, Suite 602
- Washington, D.C. 20036
- Tel: (202) 296-3776
- E-mail: PNSNRIGHTS@aol.com
Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy (POCLAD)
Thirteen activists are researching and rethinking corporate America's influence on democracy. Join the debate at http://www.poclad.org.
- P.O. Box 246
- S. Yarmouth, MA 02664-0246
- Tel: (508) 398-1145
- E-mail: people@poclad.org
Public Campaign
Public Campaign seeks to create a network with other organizations and citizen groups to increase campaign reforms in order to drastically reduce special interest and big money influences in American politics. Get involved in cleaning up politics at http://www.publicampaign.org.
- 1320 19th Street, NW, Suite M-1
- Washington, D.C. 20036
- Tel: (202) 293-0222
- E-mail: info@publicampaign.org
Public Citizen
Founded by Ralph Nader in 1971, Public Citizen fights for consumer justice and government and corporate accountability. The umbrella organization sponsors six watchdog groups, including Congress Watch and Trade Watch. Take action at http://www.citizen.org.
- 1600 20th St., NW
- Washington, D.C. 20009
- Tel: (202) 588-1000
- E-mail: member@citizen.org
Shareholder Action Network
(A project of the Social Investment Forum)
The organization seeks to create a central network of shareholder advocates, providing information and uniting investors to demand corporate responsibility. Take action at http://www.shareholderaction.org.
- 1612 K Street NW, Suite 650
- Washington, D.C. 20006
- Tel: (202) 872-5313
- E-mail: san@socialinvest.org
Sierra Club
Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club's environmental grassroots network is over 700,000 members strong. Join the fight at http://www.sierraclub.org.
- 85 Second St., Second Floor
- San Francisco, CA 94105-3441
- Tel: (415) 977-5500
- E-mail: information@sierraclub.org
Social Investment Forum
A shareholder advocacy organization that promotes socially responsible investing. Learn how investors have the opportunity and responsibility to challenge corporate misconduct at http://www.socialinvest.org.
- 1612 K Street, NW, Suite 650
- Washington, D.C. 20006
- Tel: (202) 872-5319
Stakeholder Alliance
A grassroots effort that seeks to change the corporate system through comprehensive public disclosure. Join its call to action at http://www.stakeholderalliance.org.
- 733 15th St. NW, Suite 1020
- Washington, D.C. 20005
- Tel: (202) 234-9382
- E-mail: stakeholder@stakeholderalliance.org
United for a Fair Economy (UFE)
A Boston-based advocacy group that focuses public awareness on wealth inequality. Join its activist network at http://www.ufenet.org.
- 37 Temple Place, 2nd Floor
- Boston, MA 02111
- Tel: (617) 423-2148
- E-mail: info@faireconomy.org
United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS)
This international student movement was created after 11 college students spent the summer of 1997 as interns at UNITE, a textile workers' union. Learn about their fight for sweatshop-free labor conditions at http://www.usasnet.org.
- 888 16th St., NW, Suite 303
- Washington, D.C. 20006
- Tel: (202) 347-7417
- E-mail: emailusas@yahoo.com
Working Assets
Founded in 1985, Working Assets is a phone, credit card and online services company that has donated over $25 million to groups like Greenpeace, Oxfam, and the Children's Defense Fund. In 2000 alone, Working Assets' members generated more than 900,000 letters and calls to Congress, the White House and business leaders. You too can speak out at http://www.workingassets.com.
- 101 Market Street, Suite 700
- San Francisco, CA 94105
- Tel: (877) 255-9253
- E-mail: info@workingforchange.com
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