Self-described Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders has a campaign narrative based on “political revolution.” Not to be outdone, longtime social activist Ralph Nader has some bodacious plans of his own. On Monday he launches “Breaking Through Power” — a four-day “civic mobilization” at Constitution Hall, a historic building that is literally across the street from the White House.
“The theme of this citizen mobilization will be elaborating ways to break through power to secure long-overdue democratic solutions made possible by a new muscular civic nexus between local communities and Washington, D.C.,” Mr. Nader said. “On these four days, speakers will present innovative ideas and strategies designed to take existing civic groups to higher levels of effectiveness.”
Essentially, Mr. Nader intends to remind the public how to influence the federal bureaucracy, the media, the military, big polluters and other “power” forces using only modest budgets and sheer determination, he said. There is a sizable cast of people to chime in. Speakers include former Rep. Dennis Kucinich, veteran TV host Phil Donahue, punk rocker diva Patti Smith, radio host Jim Hightower, environmental activist Winona Duke and 70 other particularly outspoken folks.
Mr. Nader is also marking the 50th anniversary of “Unsafe at Any Speed,” his pivotal, detailed book that accused the auto industry of overlooking car safety. It was published in 1966.
Mr. Nader ran for president as an independent in every election between 1992 and 2008, and he is now 82. He calls the gathering “unprecedented.”
Find information on his plans here: Breakingthroughpower.org.
The event will be live-streamed here.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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