In politics, it’s easy to get discouraged. Losing the Governor's race in Virginia on Tuesday was a huge bummer. But there were some big wins over the last two days that many thought weren’t possible and remind us why organizing matters:
Civilian Climate Corps makes it into the Build Back Better Act
Yesterday, we successfully won the inclusion and the establishment of the US Civilian Climate Corps in the Build Back Better Act. This program is set to create over 300,000 public service jobs for people of all ages to help mitigate climate change and environmental injustices.
Alexandria first outlined a vision for this plan in 2019 as part of the Green New Deal framework.1 While many said it was impossible, we organized with our partners from the Sunrise Movement and others to make this a reality.
Bailout for Taxi Drivers
Two years ago, we began working with the New York Taxi Workers Alliance to fight for our immigrant taxi workers who were trapped and targeted in a predatory medallion lending scheme by big lenders.
When we first rolled out this plan to relieve unfair debt and astronomical loan payments, we were told that it was naive, too expensive, and unreasonable. But yesterday, we won.2
This bailout will rescue thousands of cab drivers who have been crushed under paralyzing debt after years of exploitative practices in the industry.
Alexandria was one of the first politicians to come out and support this plan in 2019.
Ocasio-Cortez Calls for Bailout for Taxi Drivers
The congresswoman referred to their plight as "Indentured Servitude," becoming the most prominent voice to back a rescue plan.
Historic election wins
On the election front, we also have some good news. Tiffany Cabán – a public defender who advocates for the shutdown of Rikers jail – was elected to the New York City Council. Shahana Hanif just became the first-ever Muslim woman elected to the New York City Council in history.
Michelle Wu, a progressive, became the first woman and person of color to be elected as Mayor of Boston. Richie Floyd made history as the first openly socialist candidate to win a city council race in Florida since the 1930's.
The lessons from all of these victories (and our losses) is that we need to build our movement from the bottom up. Mass mobilization – both during and outside elections – is crucial to our progress.
The only way we were able to win relief for taxi drivers was because of an outside non-electoral mass movement of organized workers.
When we pair organized mass movements with elected leaders who are willing to enact the people's will, we can accelerate the momentum needed to make change.
When we organize people, the people win.
Team AOC
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