The Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) is an American advocacy group that promotes progressive politics.[3][4][5] CPD is a federation of groups that includes some of the old chapters of ACORN.[6] The group's stated goal is to "envision and win an innovative pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda."[7] The organization is allied with teachers' unions and has published studies criticizing charter schools.[8][9]
Campaigns and actions
The organization gained national prominence during the protests over Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the United States Supreme Court. One of the organization's co-executive directors, Ana Maria Archila, confronted U.S. Senator Jeff Flake over his support for the judge[10][11] and other activists had questions for U.S. Senator Rand Paul.[12]
Private prisons
CPD has run a years-long campaign against private prisons, and prison companies have warned investors that activist groups are a threat to their future profitability.[13] This notice to investors came after lenders like JP Morgan Chase bowed to pressure from CPD and other groups and agreed to stop doing business with prison companies.[14]
Local Progress
Local Progress is a project of CPD, and works to organize grassroots groups on the outside and progressive politicians on the inside to advance an inside/outside strategy for change. It was founded in 2012 to connect progressive leaders in different cities so they can learn from each other's experiences, share policy ideas and model legislation.[15] It also regularly brings local officials together so they can learn from each other in person and share ideas.[16][17] Local Progress board members include Brad Lander, Helen Gym, Gregorio Casar, Phillipe Cunningham, Tefere Gebre, Lorena González, and other local officials and national progressive leaders.[18]
Funding
CPD has received funding from the Bauman Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Democracy Alliance,[6] and the Open Society Foundations.[19][20][21][22]
