We’ll kick off Netroots Nation with an opening keynote from New York’s Attorney General and the man the American Prospect calls The Man Banks Fear Most, Eric Schneiderman. Other speakers will include: Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, environmentalist Bill McKibben, Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards, NEA’s Lily Eskelsen, and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. The evening is MC’d by Baratunde Thurston.

Opening keynote featuring Eric Schneiderman

Storified by Netroots Nation · Thu, Jun 07 2012 21:35:03

Led by: Baratunde Thurston

Panelists: Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Lily Eskelsen, Bill McKibben, Cecile Richards, Eric T. Schneiderman, Mayor Angel Taveras

Some of 2012′s most exciting races involve strong, progressive women who are leading the national conversation on not only on women’s issues but also things like the economy and LGBT rights.

Massachusetts’ Elizabeth Warren, Hawaii’s Mazie Hirono and Washington’s Darcy Burner are each known for standing up for workers, the middle class and equal opportunity for all. That’s why we’re excited to have the three of them on the big stage at Netroots Nation.

In a Friday lunchtime session moderated by the Huffington Post’s Amanda Terkel, Warren, Hirono and Burner will address the past year’s growing War on Women and the GOP war on the middle class. They’ll discuss what playing offense looks like for women and how election wins this fall will translate to policy victories in 2013 and beyond.

Lunch generously provided by Buy4.

2012 and the War on (and for) Women

Storified by Netroots Nation · Fri, Jun 08 2012 13:39:30

Led by: Amanda Terkel

Panelists: Darcy Burner, Rep. Mazie Hirono, Elizabeth Warren

The 99 percent have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers yet we haven’t seen this outcry reflected in the policies in Washington, where conventional wisdom lands somewhere between the status quo and austerity. The middle class continues to shrink and the poor get poorer, while the wealthiest continue to prosper while skirting the rules.

What does our economic outlook look like—and what should our progressive vision for it be? How do we free ourselves from what Paul Krugman says can only be called a depression? What role can activists, bloggers and labor play in ensuring economic success and equality? These questions and more will be discussed in this keynote session.

Immediately following the keynote, Paul Krugman will hold a book signing at the Exhibit Hall author signing area.

Led by: Heather McGhee

Panelists: Paul Krugman, Erica Payne, Ai-jen Poo, Richard Trumka

From Troy Davis to Trayvon Martin, Stop and Frisk to Stand Your Ground, our country’s current criminal justice policies are not only creating a culture of fear in our country, but a second social class. The systemic problems that exist are often borne of old-fashioned bigotry and prejudice. How can we educate others on the role that race plays in our current judicial system? How do we end the cycle of violence that plagues so much of urban America and promote uplifting alternatives to violence and incarceration? And how can the progressive community join with social and racial justice organizations to empower communities—and change a system that essentially undermines social movements and threatens progressive power?

Led by: Rashad Robinson

Panelists: Nicole Austin-Hillery, Jakada Imani, Jasiri X

The closing session at Netroots Nation 2012 will be anchored by activist and Rebuild the Dream co-founder Van Jones. We’ll also hear from NAACP President Benjamin T. Jealous, Howard Dean, Congressman David Cicilline (RI-01), Rhode Island State Representative Teresa Tanzi and Chuck Rocha. The evening will be emceed by comedian and writer Elon James White.

Closing keynote with Van Jones

Storified by Netroots Nation · Sat, Jun 09 2012 18:48:42

Led by: Elon James White

Panelists: Rep. David Cicilline, Benjamin T. Jealous, Van Jones, Chuck Rocha, State Rep. Teresa Tanzi