At the same time that President Obama is pushing an energy plan built on natural gas, there is a national movement to ban fracking building around the United States and abroad. Find out how New York was able to get a moratorium on fracking and build a grassroots movement that has amplified the ban message in a climate where national mainstream groups are pushing for regulation. Learn how groups are engaging citizens through film, media and online and offline organizing to build a powerful movement that is calling for a ban on fracking.

Building the Movement to Ban Fracking in a Regulation Climate

Miss this panel? No problem! Here’s what happened.

Storified by Netroots Nation · Thu, Jun 07 2012 16:25:42

Led by: Sarah Alexander

Panelists: David Braun, Sonia Skakich Scrima, Kristine Vaughan

Super PACs, 501(c)(4)s, outside spending groups and their untraceable dollars are now de rigeur in elections, with unfettered and undisclosed campaign spending threatening the very heart of our democracy. Bringing political power brokers to light and tracing fundraising to its source is critical in establishing accountability for our elected officials. So what new strategies must reporters employ, and how can financial reporting be as clicktastic as a Kardashian scoop and as effective as a Wikileak? What reforms are necessary to bring big-money campaign spending to light? Financial reporters join financial disclosure experts, watchdog groups and national legislators to discuss reporting and reform how-tos.

Follow the Dark Money: Reporting Challenges in the Age of Citizens United

Storified by Netroots Nation · Thu, Jun 07 2012 10:36:31

Led by: Kathy Kiely

Panelists: Kim Barker, Liz Kennedy, Andy Kroll

From birth control to same-sex marriage, it’s clear that the right is reinvigorating a culture war on sex and sexual freedom ahead of the 2012 election. We need to fight back with language—and movements—that include and accept a diversity of sexual practices and identities instead of reproducing the casual shaming and marginalization offered by the right. Panelists, ranging from polyamorous organizers to famous sex writers and activists, will lead a raucous and fun discussion of why the progressive movement can only benefit from fully embracing of people who live, love, and—yes—have sex, in radical defiance of existing norms of gender, family and sexual practice.

Liberate Your Ass: Why Sexual Freedom is Key to Fighting the Right

Miss this panel? No problem! Here’s what happened.

Storified by Netroots Nation · Thu, Jun 07 2012 17:50:25

Led by: Jenifer Fernandez Ancona

Panelists: Elisabeth Fernandez-Kimmel, Charlie Glickman, Kierra Johnson, Favianna Rodriguez, William Winters

The American Legislative Exchange Council has been behind virtually every major right-wing state law in the past two years, including union-busting, teacher-bashing, voter suppression, attacks on immigrants, privatizing basic public services and gutting environmental and health regulations. Learn more about ALEC, who backs them and what you can do to stand in their way.

Whose Law Is It Anyway? ALEC’s Influence on State Leg

GREAT #NN12 PANEL ON ALEC – AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL

Storified by Netroots Nation · Thu, Jun 07 2012 17:00:19

Led by: Rashad Robinson

Panelists: Aniello Alioto, Kim Anderson, Marge Baker, John Carey, Lisa Graves

What does it take to organize on and offline to change the conversation, build our base, and push real systemic and policy?  Come hear about a couple of moments that have changed their movements from some of the strong, agile organizations and coalitions that helped make it happen.

Organizing Outside the Lines: Reaching Hard-to-Reach Communities Online and Offline

Miss this panel? No problem! Here’s what happened.

Storified by Netroots Nation · Thu, Jun 07 2012 16:40:22

Led by: Christina Hollenback

Panelists: Niaz Kasravi, Carol McDonald, Matt Nelson, Gaby Pacheco, Malik Rhasaan

Films are an effective way to engage new audiences, communicate dynamic ideas and provoke conversation. See short segments of films that seek to influence the debate, learn about the work and share thoughts on impact, distribution, partnerships and the potential to turn reel action into real action.  Line-up subject to change.

A Fierce Green Fire – The Battle For a Living Planet - From its 5 sold-out shows at the Sundance Film Festival to its standing ovation at the DC Environmental Film Festival, and other festivals around the world, FGF has galvanized and inspired audiences.  It is the first big-picture exploration of the environmental movement – grassroots and global activism spanning 50 years from conservation to climate change. From halting dams in the Grand Canyon to battling 20,000 tons of toxic waste at Love Canal; from Greenpeace saving the whales to Chico Mendes and the rubbertappers saving the Amazon; from climate change to the promise of transforming our civilization, the film tells vivid stories about people fighting – and succeeding – against enormous odds.  It will be an invaluable tool for organizing and education.

Just Do It  (www.justdoitfilm.com) is the story of one eventful year inside the secret world of ‘direct action’ activists. Granted unprecedented access to film, director Emily James embedded herself inside a group of nonviolent UK activists as they brought media, political and public attention to a myriad of climate change causes; from coal-fired power stations and ever‑expanding airports to investment banks and government offices, despite the very real threat of arrest.  Just Do It is about everyday people, citizens of the world who are fed up with critical situations that are stepping up to make real change happen through the coordination of non-violent direct actions and self-managed alternatives.

Just Do It aims to give all who partake or flirt with the idea of civil disobedience an accessible tool to infect and inform others. Our goal is to spark discussions in communities throughout the U.S. on the role direct action plays in effectuating real change on important social issues such as climate change. Our partners Greenpeace, Rising Tide North America, 350.org and Occupy have already championed screenings across the country – we hope that can use the film as a resource to:  complement an existing event, serve as the catalyst for a new event such as a direct action camp workshop (similar to those depicted in the film),  engage, educate and inspire your members to direct activism!

The secret direct action captured in Just Do It has now gone mainstream with the thousands who have joined and created their own local 99%/ Occupy movements. It is everyday people, citizens of the world who are fed up with critical situations that are stepping up to make real change happen through the coordination of non-violent direct actions and self-managed alternatives.

Just Do It aims to give all who partake or flirt with the idea of civil disobedience an accessible tool to infect and inform others.

Let us help you find your inner outlaw.

Vincent Who? – In 1982, at the height of anti-Japanese sentiments, Vincent Chin was murdered in Detroit by two white autoworkers who said, “it’s because of you mother** that we’re out of work.” When the judged fined the killers a mere $3,000 and three years probation, Asian Americans around the country galvanized for the first time to form a real community and movement. This documentary features interviews with the key players at the time, as well as a whole new generation of activists. “Vincent Who?” asks how far Asian Americans have come since then and how far we have yet to go.

Undivided – The film UNDIVIDED presents a fresh perspective on the issue of immigration. The 30 minute documentary invites viewers into three very different communities located in Tucson, Arizona; Washington D.C.; and Oakland, California. Following the personal narratives of three youth, the film exposes how immigration policies are transforming our communities and how youth are paving the way for an era of creative resistance.

Panelists: Curtis Chin, Cloee Cooper, Nevette Previd, Marc N. Weiss

Our moderated issue caucuses are aimed at forming greater strategic alliances on progressive issues including the environment, labor, LGBT community, immigration, women’s issues, social justice and education.

Check out the Award winning online radio show This Week in Blackness RADIO #TWIBRADIO Featuring Elon James White (Creator of This Week in Blackness, MSNBC, VH1) Political Strategist L. Joy Williams (NY1, TWiB! News Coordinator) and Aaron Rand Freeman (Editor, 2Cents, TWiB!) tackling the latest in politics, race and much, much more.

Panelists: Aaron Freeman, Elon James White, L. Joy Williams

Join us in the exhibit hall or online for a Google+ Hangout where Matt Yglesias (Slate’s Moneybox) will be interviewed by Patrick Garafolo (ThinkProgress).

Catch comedian, New York Times best-selling author and regular Netroots black guy Baratunde as he shares slices of his new book, How To Be Black. He’ll take your questions (provided they don’t set back the cause of human rights) and sign your books (see previous condition) for an hour before emceeing the opening night keynote and Laughing Liberally showcase. If you don’t come to his book event, you’re a racist.

Led by: Baratunde Thurston

Join us in the exhibit hall or online for a Google+ Hangout where Cecile Richards (Planned Parenthood) will be interviewed by Amanda Peterson Beadle (ThinkProgress).

Come to this session for the down and dirty details of how to successfully use social media in political advocacy. We’ll focus on the integration of social media into your personal advocacy efforts.

Trainers: Beth Becker, Alan Rosenblatt