From Bolder Advocacy: The nonprofits behind Wendy Davis' stand for reproductive rights

          Texas State Sen. Wendy Davis achieved an unexpected victory for the reproductive health movement last Wednesday, but she didn’t do it alone.

          While we all know about that now-famous back brace, little attention has been paid to the nonprofits that helped shine the spotlight on this amazing moment, and helped gather the stories about why access to reproductive services is so essential to a woman’s health and freedom.

          “Nonprofits and their supporters put the eyes of the world on Texas,” says Austin-based Jason Sabo, a consultant to progressive nonprofits. “From the outset Sen. Wendy Davis recognized the depth of support for her efforts.  Nonprofits were a critical part of the infrastructure that spread the word about what was happening at the Texas Capitol.”

Read the full post on our Bolder Advocacy blog

AFJ will be a big presence at Netroots Nation

Netroots Nation brings together progressive organizations, bloggers, and activists to learn from one another and to discuss the challenges that lie ahead. Alliance for Justice has been a proud supporter of Netroots Nation since 2007, and we think it's a great way to help activists and bloggers understand how important our courts are as they work for change in their communities. Once again, Alliance for Justice is going to have a major presence at Netroots.

Even if you're not planning to attend the conference, you can still watch a live stream of our Supreme Court panel on Thursday, June 20 at 9 a.m. PT, 12 noon ET.  Just click here and scroll down to "Player for Room 210BF."  We plan to live-tweet the panel, follow us @AFJustice and join the discussion at #rightsinthebalance.

Just as the Court is likely to issue its most controversial decisions, AFJ president Nan Aron will moderate Rights in the Balance: The Supreme Court and Social Justice. The panel will also feature Rick Jacobs, chair and founder of Courage Campagin, Pam Karlan, professor of public interest law and co-director of the Supreme Court litigation clinic at Stanford Law School, and Tom Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

If you're planning to attend the conference, here's more of what we have in store for you this week:

--On Thursday, June 20 at 10:30 a.m., AFJ's Bolder Advocacy attorney Daren Garshelis, along with ColorOfChange.org's Kim Lehmkuhl and the California Immigrant Policy Center's Jon Rodney, will train activists on Influencing Public Policy in the Digital Age: Legal Rules and Regulations for Social Media.

Daren will also be available to answer questions about nonprofit advocacy at our exhibit booth.

Finally, on Friday, June 21 at 1:45 p.m., we will screen an excerpt from Unequal Justice: the Relentless Rise of the 1% Court as part of the screening series Fight Club! A Showcase of the Very Latest in Davids vs. Goliaths.  AFJ Executive Vice President Marissa Brown will be there to answer questions.

And be sure to stop by our exhibit booth and say hello!

From AFJ's Bolder Advocacy Initiative: How they did it: The 2012 marriage equality campaigns

          “We don’t do this enough…Get together to celebrate victories,” said Human Rights Campaign’s National Field Director Marty Rouse in opening the recent event they cosponsored with Alliance for Justice. In late May we brought the leaders of the 2012 marriage equality campaigns together to talk about their historic victories. Moderated by AFJ Executive Vice President Marissa Brown, the discussion offered many lessons for groups pursuing their own advocacy efforts–whether for marriage equality or other social justice causes.

          And as Marty said, “While 2012 was a wonderful, wonderful success, there is still a lot of work to do.” We hope the experiences shared by the seasoned advocates on our panel will inform and inspire future campaigns. ...

Read the full post - and see the video of this event - at AFJ's Bolder Advocacy Blog

Elections: ‘We have to fix that’

This post originally appeared on AFJ's Bolder Advocacy Blog.

Last night, the many months of political and ballot measure campaigning came to a close.  Millions of Americans, from all walks of life, came together to participate in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote.  Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, I think we can all agree on last night’s winner:  the voters.  Despite reports of long lines and even longer wait times, voters across the country confronted these obstacles and made a point to make their voices heard.

While volunteering with the Lawyers’ Committee on Civil Rights election protection hotline, 866-OUR-VOTE, I witnessed the unnecessary stress placed on voters’ first-hand.  The issues ranged from defective voting machines to untrained poll workers who were unfamiliar with their states voter ID requirements.  As President Obama said last night in reference to long lines at the polls, “we have to fix that.”

In the coming months, we look forward to working with organizations and policymakers to protect the right to vote and encourage sensible reforms to the election process that empower, not discourage, American voters.  In the meantime, let’s give a round of applause to the voters, especially the displaced voters of New Jersey, who voted in large numbers despite the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy.