National People's Action

National People's Action is a community organization that was founded in 1972 by Shel Trapp in Chicago, Illinois, with the goal of promoting social and economic justice. The organization has been involved in various campaigns and actions over the years, often working in coalition with other groups such as the Industrial Areas Foundation, ACORN, and the Center for Community Change. National People's Action has also been influenced by the work of Saul Alinsky, a prominent community organizer who worked in Chicago and other cities, and has been compared to other organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The organization's work has been supported by various foundations and individuals, including the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and George Soros.

● History

The history of National People's Action dates back to the early 1970s, when Shel Trapp and other community organizers in Chicago began working together to address issues such as housing and employment in low-income neighborhoods. The organization was formally established in 1972, and quickly gained a reputation for its militant and confrontational tactics, which were influenced by the work of Saul Alinsky and other community organizers. Over the years, National People's Action has been involved in various campaigns and actions, including the Anti-Apartheid Movement, the Farmworkers' Movement, and the Labor Movement, often working in coalition with other groups such as the AFL-CIO, United Farm Workers, and the Congress of Racial Equality. The organization has also been influenced by the work of Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, and other prominent social justice leaders, and has been compared to other organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union.

● Organization

National People's Action is a membership-based organization that is governed by a board of directors and a network of local chapters and affiliates. The organization has a strong presence in Chicago and other cities in the Midwest, and has also worked in other parts of the country, including the South and the West Coast. National People's Action has a diverse membership that includes community leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens who are committed to social and economic justice, and has worked in coalition with other groups such as the National Council of La Raza, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and the Native American Rights Fund. The organization is also a member of various national and international networks, including the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations and the International Federation of Social Workers, and has been supported by various foundations and individuals, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Warren Buffett.

● Issues and Campaigns

National People's Action has been involved in a wide range of issues and campaigns over the years, including housing, employment, healthcare, and education. The organization has worked to address issues such as foreclosure, unemployment, and access to healthcare, often using militant and confrontational tactics to bring attention to these issues and to pressure decision-makers to take action. National People's Action has also been involved in various national and international campaigns, including the Occupy Wall Street movement, the Fight for $15 campaign, and the Black Lives Matter movement, often working in coalition with other groups such as the Service Employees International Union, American Federation of Teachers, and the National Organization for Women. The organization has been influenced by the work of Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and other prominent social justice leaders, and has been compared to other organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee and the Quakers.

● Methods and Tactics

National People's Action is known for its militant and confrontational tactics, which include protests, demonstrations, and civil disobedience. The organization has also used other tactics, such as lobbying, community organizing, and voter registration, to achieve its goals and to bring about social and economic change. National People's Action has been influenced by the work of Saul Alinsky and other community organizers, and has been compared to other organizations such as the Congress of Industrial Organizations and the United Mine Workers of America. The organization has also worked in coalition with other groups, such as the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, National Urban League, and the League of United Latin American Citizens, to use a range of tactics and strategies to achieve its goals.

● Notable Actions and Events

National People's Action has been involved in many notable actions and events over the years, including the 1970s campaign to reform the Chicago Housing Authority, the 1980s campaign to address the AIDS epidemic, and the 1990s campaign to reform the welfare system. The organization has also been involved in various national and international events, including the 1999 WTO protests in Seattle, the 2003 Iraq War protests, and the 2011 Occupy Wall Street movement, often working in coalition with other groups such as the Teamsters, United Auto Workers, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. National People's Action has been influenced by the work of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and other prominent social justice leaders, and has been compared to other organizations such as the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Human Rights Campaign. The organization has also been supported by various foundations and individuals, including the MacArthur Foundation, Kellogg Foundation, and Oprah Winfrey.