Grassroots (organization)
Encyclopedia
Grassroots is a political organization in Erie County, New York
, which was founded in 1986 by a group of block club
leaders, that is known for successful voter registration
and elective placements such as Byron Brown
in the Buffalo City Council and Crystal Peoples
in the Erie County Legislature. During its founding, organizers had gotten a map of Buffalo, New York
's 437 election districts and found 29 candidates to obtain petition signatures to run for district committee slots. They won 16 positions.
They originally organized to seek attention for their neighborhood problems, but have grown into a larger cause. Statewide leaders such as United States Senator Charles Schumer
speak glowingly of the group. Schumer once described it as "...one of the smartest, savviest political groups in the United States." Eliot Spitzer
said, I think that a candidate running in Buffalo or for statewide office would be remiss not to sit down with the leadership of Grassroots."
Brown eventually served as a vice president of the organization. By the mid-1990s, two Grassroots members were part of the City Council and Peoples had nearly defeated Arthur Eve
, the longest-serving member of the New York State Assembly
. Brown's New York State Senate
victory confirmed the organization's appeal outside of Erie County. By 2003, its members included three Buffalo City Councilmen, a New York State Senator, and a New York State Assemblywoman. The organization is a largely African-American group dominated by younger activists founded to challenge State Assemblyman Arthur Eve's control over State funding to the Buffalo area.
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
, which was founded in 1986 by a group of block club
Neighborhood association
A neighborhood association is a group of residents or property owners who advocate for or organize activities within a neighborhood. An association may have elected leaders and voluntary dues....
leaders, that is known for successful voter registration
Voter registration
Voter registration is the requirement in some democracies for citizens and residents to check in with some central registry specifically for the purpose of being allowed to vote in elections. An effort to get people to register is known as a voter registration drive.-Centralized/compulsory vs...
and elective placements such as Byron Brown
Byron Brown
Byron William Brown II is the 58th and current mayor of Buffalo, New York, elected on November 8, 2005 and is the city's first African-American mayor. He previously served Western New York as a member of the New York State Senate and Buffalo Common Council...
in the Buffalo City Council and Crystal Peoples
Crystal Peoples
-External links:*...
in the Erie County Legislature. During its founding, organizers had gotten a map of Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
's 437 election districts and found 29 candidates to obtain petition signatures to run for district committee slots. They won 16 positions.
They originally organized to seek attention for their neighborhood problems, but have grown into a larger cause. Statewide leaders such as United States Senator Charles Schumer
Charles Schumer
Charles Ellis "Chuck" Schumer is the senior United States Senator from New York and a member of the Democratic Party. First elected in 1998, he defeated three-term Republican incumbent Al D'Amato by a margin of 55%–44%. He was easily re-elected in 2004 by a margin of 71%–24% and in 2010 by a...
speak glowingly of the group. Schumer once described it as "...one of the smartest, savviest political groups in the United States." Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
said, I think that a candidate running in Buffalo or for statewide office would be remiss not to sit down with the leadership of Grassroots."
Brown eventually served as a vice president of the organization. By the mid-1990s, two Grassroots members were part of the City Council and Peoples had nearly defeated Arthur Eve
Arthur Eve
Arthur O. Eve is a retired American politician who served as a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly representing districts in...
, the longest-serving member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
. Brown's New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
victory confirmed the organization's appeal outside of Erie County. By 2003, its members included three Buffalo City Councilmen, a New York State Senator, and a New York State Assemblywoman. The organization is a largely African-American group dominated by younger activists founded to challenge State Assemblyman Arthur Eve's control over State funding to the Buffalo area.