Coalition of Progressive Democrats
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The Coalition of Progressive Democrats, or CPD, is a student organization based in Grinnell College that encourages unity within the democratic wing of the Democratic Party of the United States.
[edit] Mission Statement
We believe that political and civil liberties should be enjoyed by all people and that promoting economic and social equality should be our nation’s foremost development goal. We stand against all unjust wars and neo-imperialist policies and we stand in support of a world united in the pursuit of peace and prosperity. To advance our ideals, we will participate in the nation-wide movement to build a new Democratic Party that is committed to fighting for progressive change. We will support progressive candidates in Democratic primaries and general elections, lobby our legislators to enact reform and engage in local activism. We invite all who share our values to join our movement.
[edit] Platform
1. Promote Equality 2. Support of gay marriage 3. Support of immigrants' rights initiatives, including the DREAM Act 4. Fund stem-cell research 5. Support universal health care 6. Protect abortion rights 7. Increase funding for education 8. Support peace and oppose Bush pre-emption doctrine 9. Defend civil liberties 10. Take a stand against genocide in Sudan and elsewhere 11. Support women's rights 12. Close SOA/Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation 13. Combat global warming and support renewable energy quotas 14. Oppose Bush tax cuts 15. Expand welfare 16. Close Guantanamo Bay military prison
[edit] Recent Activities
On January 25, 2007 the CPD voted to advocate for the reinstatement of need-blind admission for international students in Grinnell College.
On March 5, 2007, CPD co-leader Lindsay Ayling, 19, was arrested while participating in an anti-war protest in Senator Chuck Grassley's (R-Iowa) Des Moines office. As part of the nation-wide Occupation Project, a group of peace activists held a sit-in in which they read the names of Americans and Iraquis killed in the Iraq War. Ayling also presented a petition signed by 351 Grinnell College students and employees urging Senator Grassley to oppose the 2007 Appropriations Bill, which allocates $93 billion dollars to fund the war in Iraq. When Lindsay Ayling and two others refused to leave the office, they were arrested for criminal trespassing and brought to Polk County Jail, where they were held for eighteen hours. Ayling plead guilty to trespassing and was given a $65 fine.
