Athens for Everyone is a left-progressive political organization fighting for social and economic justice and transformational change oriented toward action at the local and state level. We do this work through community organizing, issue advocacy and participating in elections.
STATEMENT ON A4E NEW STATUS: January 4th, 2021
Athens for Everyone announces a significant change in the new year. We are no longer a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Legally, this means that we no longer have officers or a Board of Directors, and we no longer accept donations on behalf of Athens for Everyone.
Does this mean Athens for Everyone is gone? Nope! A4E will continue to use our Facebook public page and discussion group as forums for organizing and spaces to share information about local politics and how you can get involved. We will also still have our website, email newsletter and podcast!
We will no longer have dues-paying membership. Instead we encourage our members to join the DSA and SONG Power. Both of these are 501(c)(4) organizations, meaning that they are able to endorse candidates for political office. Athens for Everyone was originally formed with this intention, and we encourage you to continue building electoral power in Georgia by joining these organizations:
- The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the largest socialist organization in the U.S., and is committed to the belief that both the economy and society should be run democratically—to meet public needs, not to make profits for a few. Click here to become a member of DSA, and here to get involved in their Athens chapter
- Southerners On New Ground (SONG) Power is a Black- and LGBTQ-led organization organizing to shift power, build community and fight for liberation in the South. Join SONG Power here.
Athens for Everyone was founded with dedication to values of social justice and building equity in the Athens community. We’re proud of the work we’ve had a hand in. Since our founding, we have seen more progressive grassroots leaders transforming the culture in Athens and that is exactly what needs to happen, the power to the people. This work will continue. It must continue if we are to meaningfully transform into a more equitable and just community. Let’s keep going!
Our Victories
- Helping reverse the Clarke County Sheriff’s Cooperation with ICE alongside DIA, AIRC, and many more
- Helping Win Living Wages for part-time county government employees with the EJC
- Helping to elect the most progressive Mayor and Commission in ACC history on May 22, 2018.
- Changing the dialogue with our Member Driven Platform, Candidate Questionnaires, Endorsements, Voter Guides, and Elected Official Report Cards, and more.
- Helping TSPLOST win in a landslide, and gaining Bus service along US-29
- Winning Sunday bus service back for all Athenians
- Co-organizing J20 – The largest public protest in Athens history
- Helping defeat the State School Takeover Amendment
- Helping to elect Deborah Gonzalez and Jonathan Wallace to the state house
Our Work
- Engaging the community, changing the dialogue and advocating for issues through countless events, rallies, workshops, lobbying days and demonstrations.
- Informing the public with our Candidate Questionnaires
- Coalition building with activist groups like the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM), Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition (AIRC), and Dignidad Inmigrante en Athens (DIA).
- Championing progressive candidates through campaigning, endorsements, and A4E’s voter guides
- Holding elected officials accountable with our Elected Official Report Cards
- Informing and calling the community to action with our Legislative Action Network
- Initiatives including our Education Campaign, Housing Justice Initiative, and GAIN (Green Athens Initiative).
A4E works to ensure that our community’s policies, ordinances, and laws work for the common good, combating historical and present inequalities along lines of class, race, sex, gender, ability, and religion.
What are we fighting for
We want to create a city where no one goes bankrupt to pay for medically necessary treatments, no one is severely limited by not having adequate transportation, and rape culture is a thing of the past. We want to build a community that strives for equality and inclusion, that abhors violence against women and minorities, that stands for the marginalized and disenfranchised, that seeks to realize safe streets everywhere, and that respects our natural environment.
Why our task is urgent
Athens, Georgia has a poverty rate of 38%, a graduation rate of 69%, and one of the highest levels of income inequality in the country. Yet Athens is home to one of the most prestigious universities in the South, gives out enormous corporate tax-breaks, and routinely sees its infrastructure and development projects tailored to the most well off. The social and economic disparities in Athens are simply unacceptable. We can do much better.
How we are fighting
Through face-to-face interactions, government lobbying, candidate development, social and traditional media and direct action, we hope to get more people involved in the community and engaged in the political process.
Why we will succeed
We are made up of dedicated volunteers who believe in the necessity of economic and social justice. We are concerned people like you. We are your co-workers, your neighbors, and your friends. With your help we will make an Athens that is truly for everyone.