Nearly 100 people attended the first Socialism Conference sponsored by the Washington, D.C., branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation on April 1.
The day-long conference drew an enthusiastic crowd who attended plenary sessions and joined in discussions at workshops. In addition to many people from the D.C. metropolitan area, participants traveled from New York City, Philadelphia, Connecticut, South Dakota and elsewhere.
Fighting the capitalist offensive
The opening plenary focused on “Fighting the Capitalist Offensive.” It was chaired by Caneisha Mills and Elizabeth Lowengard.
The plenary opened with a talk by Monica Ruíz, who provided the framework for the day. She explained that capitalism is an economic system where production is based on profit that benefits only a tiny handful of capitalists.
Ruíz said, “Sisters and brothers, look around you today. We are a sleeping giant. Our class – us, our families, our co-workers, other poor and working people—have a tremendous power in our hands. It may seem like an uphill or even an impossible battle to unleash that power. But we are filled with revolutionary optimism.”
The PSL then welcomed Ken Lerch, the President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 3825 in Rockville, Md., who discussed the enormous costs of the war in Iraq. Lurch cited how those vast expenditures could be better spent providing health care and education. He also condemned ongoing attacks on the union and attempts to cut workers’ wages and benefits.
Next, Jeanette Cáceres, PSL member in New York City, spoke demonstrated that wars are not simply foreign policy “mistakes,” but rather are inevitable in a capitalist society.
The plenary then moved its focus to the war at home with a talk by Crystal Kim on “A Tale of Two Cities: Racism and Capitalism in the District of Columbia.” Kim, a PSL member in D.C., is also a legal worker at the Partnership for Civil Justice.
Coco Magallanes spoke representing the Mexico Solidarity Network, an organization has been in the forefront of advocating for immigrant rights and struggles for human rights on both sides of the border, and a member of the ANSWER Coalition Steering Committee. She focused on immigrant labor under the global capitalist system.
Civil rights attorney Mara Verheyden-Hillard, co-founder of the Partnership for Civil Justice and co-chair of the National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Committee, then spoke on “Attacks on Civil Rights and Liberties.” Verheyden-Hillard also is a member of the ANSWER National Steering Committee.
Brian Becker, a founding member of PSL and National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, concluded the plenary by speaking on the PSL’s perspective at present and in the coming period.
Following a question and answer session, Robert Moses told everyone about the great resources of Socialism and Liberation magazine and PSLweb.org, and Tom Esbrook introduced the coming workshops.
Workshop discussions
The conference participants then divided into two groups for workshop discussions.
“Is Socialism Possible? How to Make it Happen,” took place in both workshop sessions so that all participants could attend. It included opening presentations by Eugene Puryear and Sunil Freeman, and was facilitated by Caneisha Mills.
“How the Military Industrial Complex Really Works,” had opening presentations by Stewart Stout and Ana Maria Ramirez.
“The Leftward Shift in Latin America,” had opening presentations by Macrina Cardenas from the Mexico Solidarity Network, Chuck Kauffman from the Nicaragua Network, and Monica Ruíz. Tom Ambrosino facilitated the discussion.
Building a revolutionary movement
Following workshop discussions, participants reconvened for the closing plenary session, entitled “Building a Revolutionary Movement.” The plenary was chaired by Yenica Cortés.
Before the main talks, Sarah Friedman took a minute to recognize some significant revolutionary women leaders: Gabriela, Harriet Tubman, Mother Jones, Mama Tingo, Rosa Luxemburg, Jiang Qing, Lolita Lebrón, Leila Khaled and Assata Shakur. Slides showing a series of portraits depicting these revolutionary women, painted by Carlito Rovira, were shown.
The plenary then opened with a talk by Eugene Puryear—PSL-DC member, leader of Youth & Student ANSWER and a student at Howard University—on “Why Socialism is the Answer.”
Shawn Garcia from PSL-NYC then spoke about “The working class as a revolutionary force.”
Ben Becker, also from PSL-NYC and the technical editor of PSLweb.org, spoke on “The role of a revolutionary Marxist party and how to get involved.”
Roger Scott the announced the upcoming May 4 PSL meeting in D.C. commemorating May Day, International Workers’ Day.
Finally, Sarah Sloan, PSL-DC member and the National Staff Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, summarized the conference:
“This system has a fundamental contradiction. The dynamism of capitalism has laid the economic foundation for the development of the means of production to eliminate the ravages of hunger and homelessness. Today, there exists the basis for the elimination of poverty,” she said.
“But the system that laid the basis to create this wealth is rotten because there is a chokehold over society’s wealthy by a tiny minority. They legally own the banks, the industry, the offices, the housing, the land. But they do none of the work. If we liberate the wealth of society from their ownership and we produce based on logical, ecologically sustainable development, we can take and use the wealth for the sake of society, for the vast majority of people.”
In addition to speeches, workshops and discussion, the program included live music provided by vocalist Maria Jose Ugalde, saxophonist Carl Cornwell, bassist Matt Murray and drummer Ed Felton.
The organizers of and participants in the conference felt it was a unique event unlike any that has taken place recently in Washington, D.C. To get involved with the PSL in D.C., email [email protected] or call 202-543-4900.
