Following the National Equality March in October 2009 activists returned to their home states and Congressional Districts energized to push for full equality for LGBT Americans at the local, state and federal level.
As part of that process activists began creating “Congressional District Action Teams” or CDATs in each of the Congressional districts in the United States. These local, grassroots groups are tasked with applying local pressure on politicians and others to support full equality and insure the promise of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Here in Tucson, a group of local activists has taken up the call and created the Tucson CDAT. Since Tucson is split between two districts (AZ-7 and AZ-8) we initially have decided to combine forces.
We are fortunate in this area to have two supportive members of Congress in Gabrielle Giffords and Raul Grijalva. However, we must continually push to show everyone that now is the time for full equality.
In addition, the Tucson EAA CDAT coordinates with other groups working for equality within the community as well as allied organizations whose goal is in line with our own. This includes: labor, minority groups, faith communities, as well as social justice and advocacy groups.
Planned activities range from workshops to highlight the discrimination faced by LGBT citizens to direct actions such as rallies, protests, and civil disobedience when appropriate. The Tucson EAA CDAT is an adherent to the philosophy of non-violent action as outlined by Soulforce.org and established by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ghandi.
Please join us in whatever capacity you wish be it simply handing out flyers about events, holding signs at rallies, working on a steering committee, or engaging in non-violent action.
