Organizing to win College For All

[Thomas_Gokey]

**** The Debt Collective stands for deep structural change: we demand full cancellation of federal and private student loans, and free public college for all.

Changes like these require social movements to build power and put pressure on lawmakers to change the law. Due largely to our organizing efforts and increasing public pressure/outcry, new legislation has been recently introduced in both the House and Senate. These new bills, H.R. 3448 Student Debt Cancellation Act of 2019 and H.R. 3473 College for All Act of 2019, are simple and straightforward. They propose to cancel all student debt and make public colleges and universities tuition-free.

We have a unique and special opportunity to get these bills passed. So let’s get organized! Below you’ll find discussion threads for each state and district in the U.S. Find other people in your district, make a plan to recruit others, and go cause hell to get your representatives to take action: write letters, make phone calls, plan a sit-in at their local office!

Resources

The Indivisible Guide provides good advice about how to set up a meeting with your members of congress (or the people currently campaigning for office), how to show up at town halls, how to write letters to the editor, etc. We can do all of that and more. Feel free to get creative and come up with your own plans in addition to these tried and true methods.

Use district-by-district and state-by-state polling data. Debt Collective members should study this data and use it to make the case that this isn’t just the right thing to do, it is also good politics and a winning strategy.

Use this study by economists at the Levy Institute which outlines several positive effects of canceling all student debt.

The Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) have a great resources about organizing for College for All. If there is a YDSA chapter near you please reach out and coordinate with them.

Find out who your representatives are here.

Discussion threads by state/district:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

On campus? Click here to join our campus organizing team.

Join our Direct Action Team here.

Join our social media team here.

[wiz11]

Personally, I think the debt jubilee will only work for debtors of for-profit schools, especially if the school is defunct.
Devos is a headcase, stubborn as they come, can’t see her forgiving all, especially those that attended public universities.
All in all she just needs to step down.

[Thomas_Gokey]

Indeed DeVos is never going to get behind a jubilee. But DeVos won’t be in power forever. If we organize and find our own power, we can shorten her time in power!

[Dawn_L]

We have an exciting event coming up in Feb. Live Stream will be available if you are not able to make it to Los Angeles to attend.

Help us spread the word on Social Media and be sure to follow @0debtzone
#notaloan #CollegeForAll #StudentDebtStrike #CancelStudentDebt

Financial Futures: Higher Education and Reparative Public Goods

Institute on Inequality & Democracy at UCLA Luskin (ChallengeIneq)

[Generic_disputer]

Hey friends. If you like videos, check out The Debt Collectives youtube Channel. We will be improving on adding content. Like these videos about the College For All announcement made in Washington D.C., Fall 2019.

debt collective

We also have very talented members that have youtube channels. Feel free to share here if you are comfortable doing so. Sharing is caring!

[Generic_disputer]

This is one of my favorites.

What videos do you find inspiring or that helps explain #collegeforall and the debt relief we are all fighting for?

…one more favorite.

Dawn L. (justb33cuz)

[Dawn_L]

Hi folks,
Here is a link with information and highlights about the College For All Student Debt Strikers and the Debt burn we had last weekend.

https://challengeinequality.luskin.ucla.edu/financial-futures-higher-education-and-reparative-public-goods/

#c4astrikers
#notaloan

[wiz11]

Already tried having a second job, even did gigs, makes no difference. With the ridiculous interest that is tacked on.
Also you’re a troll, why even put your energy commenting here yourself?

[Thomas_Gokey]

We’ve banned him @wiz11. He’s just a troll.

[salima]

Hey everyone, I’m sorry if this is posting in the wrong place! I’m a huge debt strike supporter and also a radio journalist! And I’m trying to put together a short segment on a student debt strike. We’d also have to work COVID in to the conversation but I think its extremely relevant at the moment.

The first half of the show is about free colleges by a freelancer, and for the second half I wanted to talk about organizing and debt forgiveness. I wasn’t sure how to get in touch with any of the organizers or speakers at Debt Collective, so I thought I’d try posting.

Also is there an updated list of current policy fights? I think this list is from last year. Gotta catch up on my policy research!

Our website : www.radioproject.org

[Thomas_Gokey]

Hi @salima, I’ll send you a DM.