Reclaim Philadelphia
{{Infobox organization
| name = Reclaim Philadelphia
| logo = Reclaim Logo.png
| logo_size = 120px
| logo_alt = White text reading "Reclaim" and black text reading "Philadelphia" are overlaid over a blue background.
| logo_caption = Logo of Reclaim Philadelphia
| type = Advocacy group, Community organization
| region_served = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| formation = May 2016
| membership = 660 dues paying members{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.reclaimphiladelphia.org/our-history |website=Reclaim Philadelphia |access-date=April 7, 2025}}
| membership_year = 2025
| leader_title = Executive Director
| leader_name = Seth Anderson-Oberman{{cite web|url=https://www.reclaimphiladelphia.org/mentor-team|title=Leadership Team|website=Reclaim Philadelphia|access-date=April 7, 2025}}
| leader_title2 = Political Director
}}
Reclaim Philadelphia is an American progressive activist group based in the city of Philadelphia. Strongly associated with the 501(c)(4) group Pennsylvania Stands Up, Reclaim was founded out of the structures created by the Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign.{{cite web|url=http://www.phillyrecord.com/2020/02/reclaim-philadelphia-a-progressive-turnout-pac/|title=Reclaim Philadelphia – A Progressive Turnout PAC|website=Philadelphia Public Record|last1=Lynn|first1=David|date=February 20, 2020|accessdate=May 19, 2021}}
History
Reclaim Philadelphia was founded after Bernie Sanders had suspended his 2016 presidential campaign, as several Philadelphia-based activists disappointed with his loss decided to form an activist group in order to continue to advocate for what they viewed as progressive policies.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/politics/reclaim-philadelphia-elizabeth-fiedler-larry-krasner-democratic-socialists-20180723.html|title=‘A political revolution’: Meet the left-wing group that's slaying Democratic giants in Philly|website=The Philadelphia Inquirer|last1=Otterbein|first1=Holly|date=July 23, 2018|accessdate=May 19, 2021}} The victory of Donald Trump in that year's presidential election galvanised the group, which began to hold more regular meetings as a result.{{cite web|url=https://templeupdate.com/the-grassroots-organization-reclaim-philadelphia-tackles-the-aftermath-of-the-election/|title=Reclaim Philadelphia Tackles the Aftermath of the Election|website=Temple Update|last1=Dougherty|first1=Mackenzie J.|date=December 7, 2016|accessdate=May 19, 2021}} Officially the Philadelphia chapter of the national group Our Revolution, Reclaim was active in Larry Krasner's successful 2017 campaign to become Philadelphia district attorney, credited by Krasner as having a "key role" in his victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/larry-farnese-nikil-saval-pennsylvania-state-senate-primary-20200207.html|title=Vince Fumo's old district is the scene of the latest battle between old and new Philadelphia politics|website=The Philadelphia Inquirer|last1=Brennan|first1=Chris|last2=Walsh|first2=Sean Collins|date=February 7, 2020|accessdate=May 19, 2021}} In the 2018 election cycle, Reclaim members took control of the 1st and 2nd Philadelphia wards, located in South Philadelphia. Reclaim is noted for its approach to city politics, instructing its members to run for the position of Democratic committeeman in their local area as a way to take control of the Philadelphia ward system.{{cite web|url=https://www.jacobinmag.com/2020/05/pennsylvania-nikil-saval-rick-krajewski-reclaim-philadelphia|title=Reclaiming Harrisburg|website=Jacobin|last1=Piccarella|first1=Stephen|date=May 29, 2020|accessdate=May 19, 2021}}
Reclaim was active in assisting the election campaign of Kendra Brooks to the Philadelphia City Council.{{cite web|url=https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/in-philly-progressive-candidates-slug-it-out-with-democratic-incumbents/|title=In Philly, progressive candidates slug it out with Democratic incumbents|website=Pennsylvania Capital-Star|last1=Caruso|first1=Stephen|date=February 20, 2020|accessdate=May 19, 2021}} In 2020, two members of Reclaim, Nikil Saval, who had co-founded the organization, and Rick Krajewski, were elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature, primarying incumbents Larry Farnese and James R. Roebuck respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/nikil-saval-rick-krajewski-progressive-2020-pennsylvania-primary-harrisburg-20200616.html|title=Bernie Sanders is done but his fans in Pennsylvania keep winning primaries|website=The Philadelphia Inquirer|last1=Terruso|first1=Julie|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=May 19, 2021}}
References
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External links
- [https://www.reclaimphiladelphia.org/ Official website]