The Larger Us Podcast

How to build a coalition that transforms - with Nisha Anand

September 24, 2021 Larger Us Season 1 Episode 6
The Larger Us Podcast
How to build a coalition that transforms - with Nisha Anand
Show Notes

How did progressive campaigners in the US manage to win bipartisan legislation ending the 'lock-em-up and throw away the key' era in criminal justice - and persuade 87 out of 100 Senators to vote for it, and Donald Trump to sign it? 

Answer: by building a hugely diverse coalition that brought together everyone from the American Civil Liberties Union to the Koch Brothers and the religious right, and by foregrounding the personal stories of everyone from victims of crime to former prisoners.

Nisha Anand - former punk rock protestor and chief of staff to legendary organiser Van Jones, and now CEO of Dream Corps - was at the heart of this amazing breakthrough, and joined us to talk about how they managed it and what the lessons are for campaigners on other issues.