Executive Director’s Note
The Right Wing Juggernaut—Coming Soon
to a City Near You

Even as the conservative movement has asserted its control over the country, large pockets of urban America have remained beyond its grasp. Indeed, it is in the cities that progressives have not only fought off the right, but made impressive gains. From living wage and affordable housing victories to the recent spate of successful fights against Wal-Mart, metro regions around the country have shown that conservative forces are not invincible.

The right has taken note of urban America’s rebellion. As author Lee Cokorinos writes in his seminal new report Target San Diego: The Right Wing Assault on Urban Democracy and Smart Government, conservatives are already engaged in efforts to undermine progressive advances in key cities (see our interview with Mr. Cokorinos). This assault will only intensify in the coming years as progressives pursue more ambitious initiatives to restore fairness and equality to our communities.

How do we prepare for this offensive? The model of coalition building, organizing and policy that progressives in Los Angeles and other cities have embraced is part of the solution. But we must also do what the right has done—invest resources in fighting the war of ideas. We need to make the case—every day—for our vision of what America should be. It’s a fight we can win, but only if we join it.