Bring the Procession for the Future to Your Campus or Town!

The Backbone Campaign and our movement partners present the Procession for the Future, a creative organizing tool inspire, educate and train students, youth and concerned citizens to be more effective activists in this critical time. We first launched the Procession on March 4th (March Forth!), 2008 in Portland, Oregon. View a video of the Procession in Portland here and a slideshow here. We also co-produced a Procession outside the 2008 DNC Convention in Denver with Recreate 68 (full report here).

What is the Procession for the Future?
The Procession for the Future is a touring parade, using high production value art and spectacle to animate our aspirations and deliver a compelling progressive vision for the country. The 20+ plus giant puppets and inflatables portray a set of progressive policy priorities such as:
  • Fair Trade, Living Wage Jobs & Healthy Local Economies
  • Climate Stabilization, Ecological Sustainability & Renewable Energy
  • End of War, Dismantling of Empire & the Military Industrial Complex
  • Election Integrity & Renewal of Democracy
  • Housing, Education and Health Care for All
  • Humane & Fair Immigration Policy
  • Celebration of Diversity & Elimination of Racial Disparities
  • Governmental Accountability and Transparency
Now we have received funding from the Nathan Cummings Foundation to bring the Procession for the Future to universities and community groups around the country during Spring and Fall of 2009! This is a great opportunity to grow an inspirational, propositional popular movement to define and propel "Change we can believe in" at this critical time. Please partner with us on this exciting project.







Our Spring '09 tour schedule:
  1. Tempe, AZ - Feb. 26 - 28

  2. Boulder, CO - March 5-8

  3. Austin, TX - March 11-14

  4. Gainesville, FL - March 19-21

  5. Jacksonville, FL -March 18 & 22

  6. Raleigh, NC -March 25-28

  7. Baltimore, MD March 31

  8. NEW YORK, NY - April 1-4

  9. Providence, RI - April 9-11

  10. Boston, MA - April 16-18

  11. Rochester, NY - April 23-25

  12. Chicago, IL- April 28-May 1
    Tuesday, April 28 - DePaul University
    Wednesday, April 29 - Little Village
    Thursday, April 30 - Chicago RAN (TBA)
    Friday, May 1 - MAY DAY march:
    10am: Rally in Union Park (Ashland and Washington)
    11:30am: March to Federal Plaza

Workshops and Trainings provided by the Procession for the Future crew:

Creative Tactics Training (2-4 hrs)
This training will focus on a series of creative tactics local groups can use to be more effective. This workshop will begin with an overview of designing a strategic issue campaign and the unique challenges and opportunities in the current political climate. We will explore the use of spectacle for earned media, using Backbone Campaign experiences as case studies. Participants will learn creative citizen lobbying techniques, they'll build a re-usable Freeway Banner, and get an overview of some of the Non-violent direct action techniques the Backbone Campaign has utilized.

Arts for Social Change (2-4 hrs)
This workshop will explore a variety of forms of Festival Art imagery employed by the Backbone Campaign, from backpack puppets to papier mache bobble-heads, to giant inflatables and other spectacular props. We will discuss the development and use of positive and negative imagery for communicating a message, and how to use it to receive "earned media" and recruit allies to your cause. A public rove with imagery will be organized or integrated whenever possible. A Drumming for Demonstrations section can be added and a rehearsal for a Procession for the Future will be integrated where appropriate.

Non-Violent Direct Action Basics (1-2hrs)
Non Violent Direct Action is an effective way to further a campaign. This workshop will introduce the basic concept of Non violent direct action, NVDA, through discussion, role play and hands on activities. We will role play a basic action that is relevant to the groups concerns so please come with ideas of what issue you are working on or would be interested on acting upon. The workshop will discuss the different roles that are important to an action and what they involve.

Do it Yourself Silk Screening (1-2hrs)
Have you ever wanted to design your own image for shirts or banners? Do you have a message that you want to share with the world, or use to cover up name brands on your clothing? This hands on workshop will show you how to design and print your own silkscreen design. Silk screening is way you can make lots of prints with little money. Please bring a piece of clothing or material you would like printed and a simple design idea..

Campaign Strategies for On or Off Campus Organizing (1-2hr)
Have you been working on a campaign or interested in making change happen but donýt know the best way to go about it? This workshop will provide the tools to analyze who will be your best allies, what tactics are effective in which situations and how they will be portrayed by the audience.

How can the Procession help our energize our community?
Following each Procession, these festival art pieces circle in a campus commons or community park forming a progressive festival. Students and community members drawn by the creative imagery are guided through a theme park celebrating the work of local organizations and recruiting volunteers to swell their ranks. Inspirational keynote speakers, great music, and tactical trainings combine to energize the local progressive community.

Speakers can be drawn from the Backbone Campaign's Progressive Cabinet, and trainings from our multiple movement partners. Besides the Backbone Campaign Creative Tactics training, we recommend bringing in Ruckus Society, Corporate Accountability, Rain Forest Action Network and others to grow emerging activists' tactical toolkits, and inspire them to creative and effective action.

Art Is an Instrument for Social Change
Bertold Brecht wrote, "Art is not a mirror with which we reflect reality, but a hammer with which we shape it." We know that art can help shape the political landscape in this country. The Backbone Campaign believes that this artistic project is an antidote to powerlessness, and division. It communicates that the issues we care about are connected, that a progressive vision for the future is beautiful, and that participating in a movement can be fun!

The Procession for the Future is our contribution to building a social movement to enforce the Nov. 2008 mandate for change. It is our way to empower emerging activists with the tools to define and propel what that change should look like. Join with us to ignite the imagination and passion of your community. Together we can make sure that Change we can believe in is more than a slogan. Together we can sculpt a future we are proud to hand our children.

To receive more information on how you can bring this traveling parade and activist training to your campus or community:
Call (206) 408-8058 or email info@backbonecampaign.org

The Backbone Campaign is a 501(c)3 and is not affiliated with any political party or candidate. Our work is designed to support a growing progressive popular movement. If you would like to contribute to the Procession for the Future project please visit our secure Donate page.
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Our Procession Partners:
Nathan Cummings Foundation
The People's Party (great band!)
Ruckus Society
Corporate Accountability
Rain Forest Action Network
Puppet Farm Arts
 The Nathan Cummings Foundation has made the Procession for the Future 2009 Campus Tour possible. We are profoundly grateful for their collaboration and support.


The People's Party is an inspirational ensemble that plays hot dance tunes with a countless jazz, world and global influences. We are thrilled that they will be touring with the Procession. Please contact them to arrange bookings.


The Ruckus Society, renowned for their role in organizing the shutdown of the Seattle WTO meeting in 1999, & Corporate Accountability, formerly Infact, the leaders of the Nestle Boycott, veteran challengers of tobacco industry and now leaders against water privatization will provide cutting edge activist trainings, including:
  • Challenging Corporations
  • Election Protection
  • Non-Violent Direct Action 101
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Bump It Up! Maximize the Impact of your Procession for the Future Event with the Progressive Cabinet Keynote Speakers

RSVP for Conversations with the CabinetThe Progressive Cabinet is a citizen nominated community of progressive policy and movement leaders. In June of 2007, 45 of these leaders came together for a Cabinet Summit at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia to strategize on how to better deliver the message that progressives are part of a propositional movement with the leaders and ideas to run the country.

The Backbone Campaign will help you make contact with these leaders to enhance your events and add value to academic departments at your school. Call the Backbone Campaign office for further information on this excellent resource. 206-408-8058
Puppet Farm Arts Partners with Backbone Campaign to Bring You the Finest in Festival Art
Puppet Farm Arts Director and puppetista Chris Lutter will serve as a trainer and parade master at many of the Procession for the Future stops.