This year, People’s Economy Lab is part of an effort to pilot Community Assemblies in Seattle. These Community Assemblies are bringing people together to discuss environmental justice issues in their communities, work collectively to develop solutions, and mobilize to put those solutions into action.
When PEL and our partners created the Community Assemblies model, we didn’t create it from scratch. Numerous assemblies have emerged around the globe, reflecting a growing interest in involving ordinary people in shaping policy decisions that directly impact their lives. These assemblies, often hosted with the support of governments and civil society organizations, highlight the potential of participatory democracy to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
These are some of the assembly efforts that inspired our Community Assemblies model.
Jackson People’s Assembly
In Jackson, Mississippi, the Jackson People’s Assembly brings community members together regularly to identify challenges and collectively develop solutions, building on a tradition of People’s Assemblies in the U.S. South. Central to this practice is a belief in the power of collective action and direct democracy. These assemblies foster an environment of inclusivity, where every voice is valued. Their emphasis on political education and mass participation positions them as a counterweight to conventional governance models, highlighting a community-centric approach to democracy.
Some examples of recommendations that have come out of the Jackson People’s Assembly include:
- Reinvesting funds previously allocated to the police department on improving roads by:
- Filling potholes
- Increasing accessibility to sidewalks and buildings for disabled residents
- Improving the city’s response to problems with the sewer system
- An eviction moratorium
- Using eminent domain to acquire abandoned properties and renovating them to provide low-cost housing
- Placing a mental health specialist or a therapist in every school
- Expanding access to community gardens
ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures
In 2019, hundreds of Native Hawaiian community members came together to block the development of a $1.4 billion telescope on a sacred mountain. After they succeeded in halting construction of the telescope, the organizing effort then shifted to the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing community stressors, such as climate change and food instability. A group of 14 Native Hawaiian community members came together to elevate Native Hawaiian voices, values, and experiences to influence the economic recovery from COVID-19. ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures identified shared values and collected community feedback, then conducted 13 assembly sessions. The assembly sessions engaged 3000 people who created 185 proposals based on the issues and needs identified, examined pros and cons of implementing each proposal, and finally narrowed recommendations down to seven key policy areas. ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures created a policy playbook encapsulating the seven key policy areas, which they printed and delivered to elected officials and legislatures.
The seven key policy areas:
- Achieve a circular economy
- Develop and invest in regenerative businesses
- Invest in local food systems and ʻāina abundance
- Prioritize community and ʻāina well-being in decision making
- Empower community-based resource management
- Advance economic equity in Hawai’i
- Address injustice against Native Hawaiians – land back initiatives
The Bronxwide Plan
In The Bronx, a borough of New York City, a coalition of 11-12 organizations (community-based, faith-based, union, etc.) came together to develop a community vision for development without displacement. Members of the coalition each caucused with their own base of community members, asking them to share values, visions, and priorities. These priorities were shared back with the coalition and paired with data points. The coalition then compiled and ratified the priorities and shared them with the public for input. They engaged over 1000 people in creating 21 proposals from people-generated ideas. These proposals became the basis for a Bronx-wide nonpartisan platform endorsed by groups across the borough, which they invited candidates to respond to in 2020.
Sections of the Bronxwide Plan:
- Housing, Land, and Healthy Neighborhoods
- Small Business Support and Resilience
- Education and Workforce
- Manufacturing, Innovation, and Technology
- Energy, Mobility, and Environment
- Finance
Citizens’ Convention on the Climate
The French Citizens’ Convention on the Climate was held between 2020 and 2021, in response to Yellow Vest protests of a fuel tax. This convention gathered a diverse group of 150 randomly selected citizens to discuss and propose ways for France to meet its climate goals (reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030) while ensuring social fairness. Over several months, participants delved into the complexities of climate change, weighing the environmental and economic implications of various actions. Their recommendations influenced national policies, demonstrating the power of citizen involvement in shaping a sustainable future.
Some of the proposals that passed:
- Criminalize ecocide
- Increase the use of high-speed rail
- Restrict single-use plastics
- Require companies to track their carbon footprint
- Reduce the speed limit to 110 km/hr
Petaluma Fairgrounds Advisory Panel
In California, the Petaluma Fairgrounds Advisory Panel was convened in 2022. The fairgrounds, a cherished community space, became the focal point of discussions among local residents who were brought together to envision its future. Their task was not just to preserve the area, but to ensure that it continues to serve the evolving needs of the community. The outcomes of their deliberations provided a blueprint for sustainable development rooted in local priorities.
Key points of agreement:
- Agriculture
- Keep the Sonoma Marin Annual Fair
- Evac Center
- Year Round Farmers Market
- Eco-Friendly Noise Mitigation
Want to learn about assembly efforts in other places, including around the world? Check out Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s deliberative democracy database.
Washington State Assemblies
This wave of assemblies around the globe reflects a simple truth: the voices of everyday people are crucial in shaping policies that directly impact their lives. Each of the above efforts demonstrates the transformative potential of bringing communities into the heart of decision-making processes. That’s why we’re trying something similar in Washington.
The City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) and the Green New Deal Oversight Board identified Just Futures’ Community Assembly model as a way to engage community members and gather feedback on the draft One Seattle Comprehensive Plan and future Seattle Green New Deal activities. The Green New Deal Oversight Board selected two assembly anchors to lead discussions on climate resilience and the climate workforce: MLK Labor and the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. The first assembly session will take place on Thursday, September 26, with the last one wrapping up on Friday, October 11. We look forward to sharing the outcomes!
