The Institute for Local Self-Reliance is a founding member of Athena, which launched today as the first national coalition organized to fight Amazon’s growing grip over our economy.
The coalition’s debut marks a significant broadening of the anti-monopoly movement to grassroots organizations beyond the Beltway.
Athena is a growing alliance of more than forty organizations who believe that control over our communities and our democracy should be in our hands. We’ve come together to fight for people whose lives are affected by Amazon including working people, small business owners, people of color and immigrants.
We believe everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of digital technologies and online commerce without sacrificing our rights, freedom, and health. We’re working to make sure our economy puts people first, that no corporation is above the law and that our democracy represents all of us.
We’re working together to stop Amazon’s increasing stranglehold on our economy, democracy, people and planet. Learn more about Athena and join!
The New York Times covered the launch featuring comments from ILSR Co-Director Stacy Mitchell:
“We didn’t want to have Amazon in the name — People Against Amazon or whatever — because part of the strategy is to offer a better vision for how the economy could work,” said Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a nonprofit in Maine that opposes corporate concentration and advocates local community development. “To be for something, not just against.”
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