More than 60 progressive groups are uniting behind the effort known as "99% Spring" and are planning to train 100,000 people across the country in methods of non-violent direct action.

During the week of April 9 – 15th, leaders from the groups will converge to train young activists to tell the story of what happened to the national economy, learn the history of non-violent direct action, and use that knowledge to take action on campaigns to win change. Lead organizing groups include the United Auto Workers, AFL-CIO, National Peoples Action, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Rebuild the Dream, Moveon.org, and UNITE, the hospitality industry union. Following in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ghandi, the effort hopes to give young activists the tools to organize actions and follow in the footsteps of the Wisconsin Uprising and the Occupy Wall Street Movement.  In some areas the trainings are supported by OWS, in other areas they are not.

Trainers are gearing up for more than 900 gatherings taking place in 48 states over the span of one week. While each training will have its own local touch, a common curriculum ties all trainings in the 99% Spring together. Trainings will focus on economics, community-building, goals, strategies and tactics to mount campaigns, as well as techniques of nonviolent direct action. The Center for Media and Democracy [3]'s Mary Bottari will be in Chicago, April 14, helping with the economy curriculum and trainings of hundreds of activists there.

"The hope is that if people are not directly connected to campaigns, they will be able to take action locally for what is affecting them," said Joy Cushman a 99% Spring organizer and trainer.

For a complete national schedule, visit The 99% Spring [4] and find out how to sign up to lead, host or attend a training.