Organizing for Democracy

Organizing for Democracy: Taking Action in an Era of Crises, a panel conversation co-sponsored by Truthout and the Marin Peace and Justice Coalition. Speakers will include Truthout contributing writers George Lakoff, Norman Solomon, Cynthia Boaz and radio host and author Rose Aguilar. The speakers will discuss the current challenges faced by the progressive movement in California, as well as concrete strategies for moving the progressive agenda forward.

GEORGE LAKOFF the initiator of The California Democracy Act, has been one of the world's best-known linguists for more than 40 years. He is Goldman Distinguished Professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at the University of California at Berkeley. His latest book is "The Political Mind: A Cognitive Scientist's Guide to Your Brain and Its Politics." Professor Lakoff is widely recognized for his research on metaphorical thought, and the structure of language, and in recent years, his application of cognitive science to politics has brought him to national and international prominence.

CYNTHIA BOAZ is assistant professor of political science at Sonoma State University, where her areas of expertise include quality of democracy, political development, nonviolent struggle, civil resistance and political communication and media. She is also an analyst and consultant on nonviolent action, with special emphasis on the Iran and Burma cases. Dr. Boaz is also a Truthout contributing writer and the co-editor of Peace and Change Journal.

NORMAN SOLOMON is a syndicated columnist, political activist and author of a dozen books, including "War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death." The Los Angeles Times called that book "brutally persuasive" and "a must-read," adding that "Solomon is a formidable thinker and activist." He is the founder and director of the Institute for Public Accuracy, a national consortium of policy researchers and analysts. Solomon has appeared as a guest on many media outlets including the PBS "NewsHour With Jim Lehrer," CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, "Democracy Now" and C-SPAN’s "Washington Journal." He is national co-chair of the Healthcare Not Warfare campaign, and also co-chairs the Commission on a Green New Deal for the North Bay.

ROSE AGUILAR is the host of Your Call, a call-in public affairs radio show on KALW 91.7 FM in San Francisco. Tune in daily at 11am or 8pm for the rebroadcast. Rose is author of "Red Highways: A Liberal's Journey into the Heartland." She writes about women's issues and reproductive rights for AlterNet.org.