As part of the national effort to bring the message of socialism to the public, the Vote PSL Lindsay/Osorio 2012 Campaign hit the streets in San Francisco, Calif., this past Sunday, July 1.
Calling upon campaign supporters and volunteers to join the effort, the message for socialism was brought to hundreds of people attending the monthly Sunday Streets Fair. The event is a monthly closing of two major streets in the historic Latino district of the Mission—a district hit hard by the economic depression that is facing a wave of gentrification. Families and students, the young and the old biked and walked their way through live music, performances and food vendors—and also had an opportunity to learn about a socialist election campaign.
In an attempt to introduce the campaign in an engaging way to the community, the Lindsay/Osorio Campaign designed a Party for Socialism and Liberation bike chariot that held a sound system, which played music as it was paraded through the crowds. The red chariot slogans read: “Tired of the Republican and Democrat 2-Party System?” and “Jobs, Housing & Health Care for All!”
As people took photos, campaign supporters handed out the Vote PSL 10-Point Program, as well as campaign statements on the recent Supreme Court decisions on the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act and SB 1070. The public was receptive and welcoming to the socialist message.
Antoinette Marquez, a volunteer with the campaign stated: “The outreach was lively. Many were attracted by our energy and music. More importantly, they were excited about what we had to say regarding our politics and our campaign.”
In addition to having a team engaging the moving crowd, another group set up a stencil activity table, where we asked passers-by, “If voting actually changed things, what would you vote for?” Many expressed, using their own words, a need to end violence, racism, sexism, militarism and poverty. The Lindsay/Osorio Campaign discussed with people how we needed to fight for these hopes, not simply vote for them, and that only by putting an end to capitalism, the real cause of the symptoms many wanted to end, could we bring about real change.
Sarah Carlson, a PSL member helping people make the stenciled posters, stated: “Working at the sign station was great! People were excited to voice the issues important to them and were grateful that we were asking their opinion.”
Lindsay/Osorio campaign to visit Stockton
Building upon the momentum in San Francisco and across the country, the Lindsay/Osorio Campaign plans to visit the city of Stockton this upcoming Saturday, July 7 for a day of campaign outreach. Stockton recently became the largest U.S. city in history to declare bankruptcy. The reasons for this catastrophe, which will likely hurt working-class families and the poor the most, are rooted in the capitalist crisis itself. Stockton is one of the cities hardest hit by the housing market crash. In addition, the city is making absurd loan payments to private banks like Wells Fargo, which was bailed out by taxpayer’s money and now owns the City Hall.
Some opportunist politicians claim that “spending” is the problem and that austerity is the solution. The slashing of benefits, closures of schools, elimination of jobs, and the privatization of public services and institutions are being promoted as the way to solve the crisis. This is the same tactic used by European politicians against Greece and Spain—they want the people to pay for this crisis that was created by banks and the rich around the world. The Lindsay/Osorio campaign says “Seize the Banks!” Use that money to pay for jobs, housing and healthcare for all!
Campaign volunteers will be doing door-to-door outreach, literature drop-offs at various locales, and meeting with people who want an end to the bailing out of the 1% at the expense of the 99%.
Organizers, supporters and volunteers will be coming from the San Francisco and Sacramento areas. If you would like to meet up with the campaign or volunteer, please call 415-821-6171 or email [email protected].
