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09/19/2008
"Civic Center Park was the place to be Tuesday morning for the Backbone Campaign's parade, titled "Procession for the Future." It depicted a panorama of progressive issues. And unlike a number of DNC events -- including those planned by the Democratic Party itself -- it ran smoothly, with a minimum of confusion and a minimum of tension." Review by Lisa Bornstein, Rocky Mountain News
Dear Friends,
The Backbone Campaign just implemented our most ambitious effort to date, the Procession for the Future Convention Tour. Most of us are recovering and others are still on the road with a few more stops before landing home on Vashon. The truck Serendipity operated like a charm! All the work of countless people on imagery and puppets, the vehicle, actions in the two cities, and your generous financial support paid off. The Procession for the Future has blossomed into a full tourable parade and a collection of awesome resources for progressives around the country.
Nearly two dozen Backbone Campaign team members flew to either one or both Conventions. We signed up hundreds of new members, received a lot of mention in local press, as well as images on the national press networks, gave multiple interviews to US and international press, got countless images online and more than doubled, sometimes tripled our web traffic. Best of all, we met, worked with, and lived with some of the nation's most dedicated activists - and we look forward to collaborating with them in the very near future.
In Denver we provided imagery and other support to seven large-scale events, including R68's End the War march and Tent State University. We also produced an entire Procession for the Future with Pre & Post-Rallies, supported the Iraq Veterans Against the War and SDS's Rage Against the Machine concert & march, the Sustainable Living Roadshow, and the Immigrant Rights march and rally.
A special "Thank You" is due the Rocky Mountain News for their incredible coverage of our efforts in Denver.
The first Rocky Mountain News (RMN) article followed the Sunday peace march. They captured the spirit of our work with Group tries to use art to get point across and from then on they could be considered the Backbone's official DNC documenters. Despite attempts to interrupt our event (Small Group Causes Big Disturbance), the Parade Was Deemed Successful, with Actress Daryl Hannah Encouraging Change at our event outside the DNC. Rocky Mountain News wrapped up the series with Political Puppets Present A Gentler Face, gave us a mention in the Top Seven Moments at DNC and published two great reports with photos on the "DNC as Theater" Blog: Save the polar bears and other costumes and the triumphal Puppets! RMN! RMN! RMN! WOW.
 Then there's our own Logan Price's wonderful moving blogs and photo galleries at the www.TheDispatch.info, and two slideshows of the Procession for the Future setup and parade by Bryan Brusseau, a short post-DNC Procession video here from the General Media News Service from DC, and more. AM 1090 did interviews of Bill and Logan from DNC and RNC respectively. Except for a piece on the Liberty Parade, A Spark of Eccentricity in the Minneapolis - St. Paul Star Tribune, the RNC press was less generous to the beautiful imagery, but TV cameras latched onto the Chain Gang. Small profiles of Bill were featured in Yes! Magazine and Real Change News, as well as  a couple photos from our second day in St. Paul at Utne. The biggest press coup was a surprise interaction with "Triumph the Insult Dog" for the Conan O'Brien Show.
The Backbone Campaign animated five more events in the Twin Cities: a partial Procession at the Liberty Parade, a strong presence at the End the War march, the Ripple Effect Concert Festival, the Peace Island concert, and multiple roves with the Chain Gang. This included perhaps our most fun satirical adventure ever - an attempted prisoner exchange at the Ramsey Co. jail in St. Paul! See our 30 sec. statement of purpose here; Radio Free Nation story by Marty Owing titled "Terrorist Puppets" (!)describes how the adventure unfolded. Enjoy!
We're already planning a Day After Inauguration Procession for the Future Parade and Festival in DC, with music, trainings, and First 100 Days statements by Progressive Cabinet nominees, a Spring Campus tour, as well as work with Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) on constructing and deploying 21' inflatable Lady Liberties around the country on May 1, and an action outside the upcoming "Weapons Bazaar" in Omaha, NB. Your support is what makes it all possible.
Email or call 206.408.8058 for more information, or click here to make a contribution.
Thank you!
Bill Moyer and Amy Morrison, Backbone Campaign Organizers
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