Facebook and LinkedIn CEOs Team Up to Fight Social Injustice

Matters that influence the U.S economy have a direct impact on the bottom lines of Facebook, LinkedIn and other tech companies. With this in mind, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly leading a charge to form an issues advocacy group that will focus on topics like education reform and immigration.

At 28, Zuckerberg already has a track record of being politically active. He held a fundraiser at his home in February of this year for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. And he was seated next to President Barack Obama at an elite dinner party for Silicon Valley titans in February 2011.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Zuckerberg’s college roommate Joe Green is handling the logistics of the group, from raising money to building political alliances. Both Zuckerberg and LinkedIn Founder and CEO Reid Hoffman have kicked-in millions of dollars. Both men appear on the 2013 list of Forbes Billionaires. 

Dan Schnur, a veteran political analyst who has advised tech leaders, told the San Jose Mercury News, "If Zuckerberg decides he wants to apply the levers of politics, to make policy change happen, his impact could be extraordinary."

It remains to be seen if the new group will campaign to mobilize public opinion, lobby lawmakers, support candidates—or do all three.

Also on Palo Alto Patch:

Apple Plucks Palo Alto’s WiFiSLAM

Palo Alto Reports Solid Employment in Latest Jobs Report

Techies Line Up to Drive Tesla Model S