(CNSNews.com) - Socialist Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told supporters in Vermont on Monday that although his presidential campaign is over, the grass-roots revolution he inspired will continue in the form of a new non-profit organization.
"[W]hen you capture by large majorities -- the young people of this country -- it means that our ideas, our vision, is the future of this country," Sanders said.
"So tonight I want to introduce you to a new independent non-profit organization called Our Revolution, which is inspired by the historic Bernie 2016 presidential campaign.
"Over time, Our Revolution will involve hundreds of thousands of people. These are people who will be fighting at the grassroots level for changes in their local school boards, in their city councils, in their state legislatures, and in their representation in Washington.
"Not only that, they will be involved in major ballot items dealing with campaign finance issues, environmental issues, health care issues, labor issues, gender-related issues, and doing all that they can in every way to create an America based on the principles of economic, social, racial, and environmental justice."
Sanders said a "very diverse board of strong progressive men and women" will lead Our Revolution.
"Now, as a United States senator, I will not be directing or controlling Our Revolution, but I have the utmost confidence that this leadership team and the board being assembled shares the progressive values we all hold, and I expect very big things from them and from all of you who join with them to carry the political revolution forward.
"And let me -- speaking only for myself -- tell you what to me the political revolution means. And it means to me nothing less than the transforming of the United States of America, the transformation of our country into a society in which we will not continue to have a handful of billionaires controlling our economic, political, or media life.
"If you think back on the history of our country, you understand that this nation has never been about oligarchy. And we must -- our generation -- must never allow oligarchy to become the governing doctrine of our nation."
Sanders said the goal must be to elect progressives at every level of government, starting with school boards across America.
He said the new group will support more than 100 candidates for starters, and it also will try to "shape governmental policy" by supporting major ballot initiatives.
"As I understand it, Our Revolution will be focusing on seven key initiatives, which are of enormous importance to the particular states involved but also significant for the entire country," Sanders said.
He mentioned overturning the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision; automatic voter registration; lowering the cost of prescription drugs; a single payer health care system; criminal justice reform; immigration reform; and ending "the injustices that are currently taking place against the Native American people all over this country."
Sanders ended on a personal note, thanking his fellow progressive for their love and support: "As I have said many times, election days come and go, but the struggle for justice continue."