Yesterday, Bernie Sanders announced the formation of a new political group, Our Revolution.
Following the announcement, the group released this inspirational video that includes images from ads Sanders aired during his presidential campaign – including “Together” and "America."
We also hear Sanders calling on his supporters to join in the fight to make “America the kind of country we know it must become.”
“Election days come and go, but the struggle for economic, social, racial and environmental justice must continue. We have the guts and the energy to take on the special interests, win critical battles on the most important issues of our time, and redefine what’s possible in this country. Now it’s time for all of us to get to work,” Sanders explained to his supporters.
Additionally, eight members of the core staff resigned, according to the New York Times, because of a "deep distrust of and frustration with" Jeff Weaver – Sanders' former campaign manager and newly appointed head of the organization.
Claire Sandberg, the former organizing director at Our Revolution, explained, Mr. Weaver would “betray its core purpose by accepting money from billionaires and not remaining grass-roots-funded and plowing that billionaire cash into TV instead of investing it in building a genuine movement.”
According to ABC News, Our Revolution has hired a for-profit Washington, DC-based digital marketing team in part to make up for the loss of staff.
We also hear Sanders calling on his supporters to join in the fight to make “America the kind of country we know it must become.”
Bernie Sanders’ ‘Our Revolution’
Our Revolution is aiming to advance the "political revolution" Sanders started during his 2016 presidential bid – focusing primarily on addressing economic inequality.“Election days come and go, but the struggle for economic, social, racial and environmental justice must continue. We have the guts and the energy to take on the special interests, win critical battles on the most important issues of our time, and redefine what’s possible in this country. Now it’s time for all of us to get to work,” Sanders explained to his supporters.
The Backlash
Since Sanders announced his new political group, many of his supporters began to criticize the organization. The major reason was the group would become a 501(c)(4) – which can collect large donations from anonymous sources. This is the same type of "dark money" Sanders and his supporters condemned on the campaign trail.Additionally, eight members of the core staff resigned, according to the New York Times, because of a "deep distrust of and frustration with" Jeff Weaver – Sanders' former campaign manager and newly appointed head of the organization.
Claire Sandberg, the former organizing director at Our Revolution, explained, Mr. Weaver would “betray its core purpose by accepting money from billionaires and not remaining grass-roots-funded and plowing that billionaire cash into TV instead of investing it in building a genuine movement.”
According to ABC News, Our Revolution has hired a for-profit Washington, DC-based digital marketing team in part to make up for the loss of staff.