MoveOn.org

MoveOn.org epitomizes modern political activism. Students no longer go out and stage marches and demonstrations, but they still work to get their voice heard using their most powerful tool: the internet.
MoveOn.org was created in September of 1998 in the wake up the Bill Clinton impeachment process. Joan Boyd and Wes Blades were frustrated with the issues the government was focusing on in that process and started this site that has since become one of the most powerful, influential Political Action Committees. They “launched an online petition to “Censure President Clinton and Move On to Pressing Issues Facing the Nation." Within days they had hundreds of thousands of individuals signed up, and began looking for ways these voices could be heard. They found their soundbox.
MoveOn.org has developed to support liberal progressives, working to defeat the right wing. Site visitors vote on issues they feel are most important, which become the issues that Move On works to support and/or protest.
The most important, and perhaps most powerful, aspect of Move On is that it is intended for and uses by average political participants. All of its proceeds go to support issues and democratic candidates. “Through 2004, MoveOn.org Political Action raised approximately $11 million dollars for 81 candidates from over 300,000 donors. In 2005, MoveOn.org Political Action grew to 3.3 million members and 125,000 members contributed $9 million to progressive candidates and campaigns (average donation: $45).” People do not need to supply hundreds and thousands of dollars to influence politics. When the people come together, as this site has encouraged, each little independent contribution adds up to make a huge difference. This site has brought people back into the American political process.
This thank you to Move On demonstrates the power and opportunity that has been given back to the people:
I can't thank you enough for providing the tools I've always wanted for social change. With MoveOn, I feel like I have a voice in the world and an organization fighting for the same things that are important to me. As a working professional and mother, I don't have time to look up whom to contact on what issues. You make it possible for me to fight against the infuriating things that I see either destroying or about to destroy our country.
Thank you all at MoveOn.org for your vision and your work.
Sincerely,
Laurie (Matawan, NJ)

MoveOn.org