Case Studies»

MoveOn Leaders in Action

“Leaders in Action” profiles the victories of citizen activists who used MoveOn’s platform to create petitions that effected change in their communities and nationwide. Four individuals are featured: Sheila Thomas, a one-time victim of sexual assault, created a petition that helped to convince Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Robert Applebaum created a petition suggesting that, instead of bailing out huge investment banks, we could improve our economy by forgiving billions of dollars in student loan debt. In response, President Obama issued an executive order reducing loan payments. Trina McDonald, a navy veteran and survivor of sexual assault during her service, created a petition demanding Congress amend the military codes to prosecute sexual predators outside the chain of command. As a result, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Military Justice Improvement Act. Finally, Russell Edwards created a petition fending off the construction of a 100,000 square foot Wal-Mart in the heart of downtown Athens, GA, saving scores of local businesses.