This space is dedicated to the proposition that we need to know the history of the struggles on the left and of earlier progressive movements here and world-wide. If we can learn from the mistakes made in the past (as well as what went right) we can move forward in the future to create a more just and equitable society. We will be reviewing books, CDs, and movies we believe everyone needs to read, hear and look at as well as making commentary from time to time. Greg Green, site manager
Socialist Analysis - Salazar and Pressley Victories Point to Growing Anti-Establishment Mood
Please check SocialistAlternative.orgregularly for the socialist analysis, strategy, and tactics needed to build movements to defeat the billionaire class.
Our pages build on the proven strategies that won two historic victories for Kshama Sawant in Seattle. Our editorial team brings the experience of leading the fight for $15 to its first major victory in the nation in Seattle in 2014 and then in Minneapolis last year. Subscribe todayto receive our print or electronic newspaper.
On September 13th over 20,000 people voted to send Julia Salazar, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), to the New York State Senate. This victory, as well as the huge turnout statewide, shows the growing momentum for the socialist movement, and the growing opportunities to fight back against Trump and the establishment. What’s needed now is an organized movement to fight for the progressive demands that Salazar and Cynthia Nixon called for, like medicare for all, and housing justice.
Two years after the release of the video showing Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke shooting black teenager Laquan Mcdonald 16 times, his trial has begun. While the shooting and the subsequent repression of the video has led to anger, it will take mass action to pressure the system to convict Van Dyke. The Democrats in Chicago have proven unwilling to fight for the community - a mass movement against not only police brutality, but also economic inequality will be needed to fight back.
Boston voted this month to send Ayanna Pressley to congress, making her the first black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts. This election points to the wave of anti-corporate and anti-establishment sentiment that has been growing. Pressley’s lack of action as a member of the Boston City Council though, leads to questions of whether she is willing to follow through while in the midst of the democratic party establishment. She will need to change course to take on the establishment and organize at home to win these demands.
Teachers across the state of Washington are striking and winning huge victories. These victories are based on a one time increase in the state budget, not a long-term solution. In Seattle, teachers voted 90% in favor of a strike authorization, but ended negotiations before striking, winning a one year contract with a 10.5% raise. The organizing by rank and file teachers indicated a willingness to strike and action could have provided the further benefits that teachers and students need, and will become important next year when their contract expires and the battle begins again.
The historic talks between Kim Jong-un and President Trump has rallied the peace movement in a momentousness way. For the first time in decades we are talking about Korea: formally ending the war, creating pathways for family reunification, and bringing nuclear disarmament to the peninsula.
Join us for a panel discussion on Diplomacy, Reunification & Nuclear Disarmament in Korea.
Hyun Lee is a New York City-based writer and activist. She is a member of the Solidarity Committee for Democracy and Peace in Korea. She is also a Korea Policy Institute fellow and a member of Nodutdol for Korean Community Development.
Reverend Shinhyung Ahn ministers at the Wesley United Methodist Church. It is a multicultural, bi-lingual congregation on the edge of Tufts University.
Dr. Jospeh Gerson has been a nuclear disarmament activist for 40 years. He’s published numerous books and papers and speaks the world over on issues related to nuclear disarmament.
Dr. Michael VanElzakker is neuroscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is a neuroscientist affiliated at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Tufts University. He has two primary research interests: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Saturday, October 13 1-4
First Parish Bedford 75 Great Rd
Sponsored by FPB Peace & Justice Committee and Massachusetts Peace Action
The criminalization of immigration and the use of private prisons work hand in hand in shaping the American criminal justice response to immigration. This system makes a commodity of the lives of undocumented immigrants. Their suffering and that of their families is directly connected to this profit making dehumanizing machine. There is lack of transparency regarding the actual numbers but recent estimates site gains of 200-250 dollars a day per detainee. At the Suffolk county jail in South Bay approximately 30% of its population are undocumented detainees. ICE has no place in Suffolk County and we won’t be complicit by standing silently before human exploitation, family separations, indiscriminate and unjust deportations and the suffering of our immigrant community. #ICEoutofSuffolkCounty
The Golden Rule has had a great start to her voyage. With terrific Bon Voyage events in Eureka, San Francisco, Berkeley and Santa Cruz we were able to meet our goal of $1000 per stop, thanks to our generous supporters.
After a stop in Morro Bay the Golden Rule is headed to LaVerne, CA for a fundraising family friendly concert by Michael Stern tomorrow night! Learn more here.
Like and follow the VFP Golden Rule Project on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated as she sails for a nuclear-free world and a peaceful, sustainable future.
Armistice Day/Chapter Call on Tuesday October 2nd!
Our next Chapter Contact / VFP Organizer Conference Call will be October 2nd at 7pm CST. We will discuss current VFP campaigns and ongoing work as well as updates from local chapter activities.
Anyone who is organizing and disseminating information within Veterans For Peace is welcome.
Please email samantha@veteransforpeace.org for call-in information or if you have something specific you would like to add to the call agenda.
In the run up to Armistice Day, Veterans For Peace UK aim to resurrect the slogan Never Again which was widely used by the public in the years after the First World War.
To Secure Peace Between the Koreas, US Must Declare an End to the War
Christine Ahn of Women Cross the DMZ and who was recently scheduled to speak at our annual convention has another great piece out about the recent efforts and continued process between North and South Korea.
"A peace treaty would end the state of war between the United States and North Korea, taking the threat of a military conflict off the table. A ceasefire — a temporary truce — is what has defined the US-North Korean relationship.
One tangible step that the Trump administration can take that the North Koreans would view as a “corresponding measure” is to declare an end to the Korean War. Joseph Yun, the former State Department envoy to North Korea during the Obama and Trump administrations, has said “the end-of-war declaration has to be done.” In an interview with the Asahi Shimbun, Yun said, “I don’t agree that [the US] would lose any significant item by saying the war has come to an end.” This would demonstrate the US commitment to improve relations and establish trust as a key toward normalizing relations between the two countries. "