Frontlash was a non-profit organization founded in 1968 to help minority and young people register to vote and to engage in voter education.
[citation needed] The organization was conceived by Penn Kemble, a Social Democrat and member of the Young People's Socialist League.
The "Frontlash" name was a play on words, originally used in this context by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964[2] (it had previously been used in analogue computer construction and similar).
Frontlash chapters were usually democratic in nature, although they relied heavily on funds and staff from AFL-CIO appointed leaders in the central labor bodies.
Frontlash also worked with the United Federation of Teachers to produce a film about voting rights which was subsequently distributed to high schools across the country.
The protests included the United States Students Association, College Democrats of America, the Gray Panthers, and the National Council of Senior Citizens.
[12] Frontlash's third executive director, Joel Klaverkamp, expanded the organization's permanent presence into two additional states in 1987, bringing the total to 10.
Known as "Toycott," the campaign—which began in 1989 but did not receive national media attention until 1991—highlighted the use of child labor in the manufacture of toys and other consumer goods in China and sold in the United States.
Other staff members included Jamal Watson, who directed the group's communication efforts and Patrick Wozny, who was the political and legislative director.
While the Nike protests garnered some national attention and public support, the collapse of the "Come Shop With Me" campaign significantly weakened Frontlash.