Joint statement on austerity and the September 29th general strike in Europe from the SP-CVA, the Richmond IWW, and the VCU SDS.
By Brennan S. Chambre
austerity - an economic policy in which nations reduce living standards and development projects, and shift revenue out of the economy, in order to satisfy the demands of outside creditors
On September 29th, 2010, Europe’s finance ministers met in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss fiscal policy for the European Union in response to the global financial crisis.
On that same day, so did workers all over Spain, and all over Europe, to discuss fiscal policy of another sort. In response to austerity measures passed by the Spanish state which chip away at the hard fought rights of working people, no surprise being touted as “labor reform,” workers all-over the country are calling for a general strike to oppose these attacks and fight for true labor reform.
Since May of this year, in several European countries, most notably and inspiringly in Greece, workers have been organizing and taking to the streets to take back their lives directly from the capitalists in charge who seek to balance national budgets on the backs of the working class.
We in the United States are no strangers to this situation, and ought to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Europe, and elsewhere. For how many years has the government forsaken working people in America in order to enrich themselves and the bosses? How many factories here have we seen closed or safety measures ignored in order to make a few extra bucks? How many cuts to social programs and education are handed down every year, while corporations get tax breaks and military spending rises like the national debt? And then of course there are the ironically titled “right to work” laws which do everything they can to impede just that right. All of these measures are presented, both in Europe and in America, as “necessities” in order to recover the country and prevent any further slide into economic collapse. Yet, all they actually serve to do is to rescue the elites from their own mess and leave common people out to fend for themselves, a situation which has appropriately been called “socialism for the rich, capitalism for the poor.”
What we do seem to be strangers to, however, is the response with which our European comrades meet these measures.
While they march through their streets, we write letters to our out-for-your-vote Congresspeople. While they occupy buildings, we file grievance forms. While they are forming community self-help programs, we are asking for help from the very monster that put us in this mess in the first place. In short, while they strike, all we do is vote. While they demand, we ask.
Of course, this is not at all to trash-talk the labor movement in America. Certainly we have fought long and hard for everything we have gained, and there is much to be commended. But the general attitude toward social progress among a great many of Americans indeed seems to be top-down, that all that we have gained has been mercifully bestowed upon us by a kind and benevolent state. The logical conclusion of this mindset is that any ills we see in society can be easily fixed by merely voting out the “bad guys” and voting in the “good guys.” If voting is the extent of democracy, then there is no hope for any of us.
The English peasant revolutionary John Ball once made a speech to his comrades in which he said, “Let us go to see King Richard. He is young, and we will show him our miserable slavery, we will tell him it must be changed, or else we will provide the remedy ourselves. When the King sees us, either he will listen to us, or we will help ourselves.”
It is time to tell our kings and queens, as well as each other, that either they will provide for the needs of working people everywhere, or we will provide the remedy ourselves.
It is time to start demanding, and stop asking.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Report on the Socialist Party of Central Virginia - Summer 2010
By Brandon Collins
The Socialist Party of Central Virginia continues to work for justice and socialism in Virginia! May Day 2010 was a success. Attendance at our workshop was healthy; we had many inquisitive folks participate, offer radical perspectives, and we gained some new interest in our local from folks around the commonwealth. The parade itself was quite inspiring; about 300 radicals, leftists, anarchists, socialists, and activists took to the streets with huge puppets and great energy. SP-CVA met a lot of new folks, and, in the process, continued to build our relationship with the Richmond IWW. Video of our workshop and the speeches can be found on our blog, under the post "May Day 2010."
Moving forward from May Day, we endorsed and participated in "Brown Bag Vigils" in Charlottesville at Rep. Perriello's office, demanding an end to funding the Afghan War. As we began to re-evaluate directions for our local, a solid campaign to keep WTJU in the capable hands of radio announcers got underway. Ultimately victorious, we began to strengthen our relationship with the Richmond IWW (see "Save WTJU, Keep it Weird!").
As we move forward into fall we are determining where our focus should be. This is a time to analyze and build our local. So far, we have agreed to focus on bringing labor activism to parts of Virginia where worker's movements don't exist and work to bring a radical perspective to those places where there is already healthy labor organizing. We will be strengthening and continuing our anti-war work in various ways, but really need to discuss what types of action will best bring a socialist perspective to anti-war organizing. It is our hope to become involved in stopping the assault on immigrant rights in Virginia. Again, more analysis and thought needs to be done on this in the coming months, but rest assured we will be there in solidarity with our undocumented sisters and brothers. In all of these things, members of our local overwhelmingly feel more direct action is needed. Join us as we move forward through the fall and into winter in coming up with creative ways to actively assert a socialist perspective in Virginia.
We've planned a workshop, "Roads to Democratic Socialism," in Charlottesville Sept. 26; a screening of Rethinking Afghanistan and anti-war discussion in Richmond late October/early fall; the launching of workers' organizing websites for Tidewater and Charlottesville; and participation in IWW organizer training in November. Stay posted on these events and more by visiting our website and Facebook page. As always, we invite you to participate and organize with us for a democratic socialist future!
The Socialist Party of Central Virginia continues to work for justice and socialism in Virginia! May Day 2010 was a success. Attendance at our workshop was healthy; we had many inquisitive folks participate, offer radical perspectives, and we gained some new interest in our local from folks around the commonwealth. The parade itself was quite inspiring; about 300 radicals, leftists, anarchists, socialists, and activists took to the streets with huge puppets and great energy. SP-CVA met a lot of new folks, and, in the process, continued to build our relationship with the Richmond IWW. Video of our workshop and the speeches can be found on our blog, under the post "May Day 2010."
Moving forward from May Day, we endorsed and participated in "Brown Bag Vigils" in Charlottesville at Rep. Perriello's office, demanding an end to funding the Afghan War. As we began to re-evaluate directions for our local, a solid campaign to keep WTJU in the capable hands of radio announcers got underway. Ultimately victorious, we began to strengthen our relationship with the Richmond IWW (see "Save WTJU, Keep it Weird!").
As we move forward into fall we are determining where our focus should be. This is a time to analyze and build our local. So far, we have agreed to focus on bringing labor activism to parts of Virginia where worker's movements don't exist and work to bring a radical perspective to those places where there is already healthy labor organizing. We will be strengthening and continuing our anti-war work in various ways, but really need to discuss what types of action will best bring a socialist perspective to anti-war organizing. It is our hope to become involved in stopping the assault on immigrant rights in Virginia. Again, more analysis and thought needs to be done on this in the coming months, but rest assured we will be there in solidarity with our undocumented sisters and brothers. In all of these things, members of our local overwhelmingly feel more direct action is needed. Join us as we move forward through the fall and into winter in coming up with creative ways to actively assert a socialist perspective in Virginia.
We've planned a workshop, "Roads to Democratic Socialism," in Charlottesville Sept. 26; a screening of Rethinking Afghanistan and anti-war discussion in Richmond late October/early fall; the launching of workers' organizing websites for Tidewater and Charlottesville; and participation in IWW organizer training in November. Stay posted on these events and more by visiting our website and Facebook page. As always, we invite you to participate and organize with us for a democratic socialist future!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Joint Statement of the Socialist Party of Central Virginia and the Richmond Industrial Workers of the World
The members of both the Socialist Party of Central Virginia and the Richmond Industrial Workers of the World would like to extend their deepest congratulations to the announcers of WTJU and the community of Charlottesville for their recent victories in retaining democratically selected programming at the radio station, and we share in your celebration!
We wholeheartedly recognize, and respect, that this struggle was waged by the dedicated volunteers at WTJU and the listeners that support them; we are happy to have been able to contribute in some way to that effort!
Additionally, we wholeheartedly recognize, and respect, that this struggle is far from over. We stand prepared to remain in solidarity with the announcers and community supporters as they continue to ensure that WTJU remains a place where culture and education is in the capable hands of people who are intrinsically aware of the delicate and important place community run radio holds worldwide.
It is our belief that the arts are an integral part of daily life; that music treated as a commodity, produced or dispersed purely for financial gain, is antithetical to true artistry; and that attempts to make educational, cultural, and musical institutions more competitive in a commercial market is folly to the highest degree. In short, we hope you might agree that art should be produced and disseminated not for profit, but for the bettering of our lives. We acknowledge that WTJU may be the last of its kind in resisting musical hegemony, and commoditization of the arts, and we applaud your hard fought battle as being a part of a larger, worldwide, struggle to promote the arts and arts education as something being worthwhile, and a necessity for a better life for all.
Furthermore, we are inspired when we see workers (yes, volunteers are workers too) gathering in unity to better their situations and workplaces. Even more inspiring is when workers are not only exerting their authority and expertise over their own workplaces, but actively struggling for a better community and world. The announcers of WTJU have done an incredible service to musical and educational culture. Not for profit, but to better the world. Your efforts are a testament to the natural desire of humanity to live in peace and prosperity despite what their bosses want.
We urge you to continue to struggle to make this victory a long lasting one. We highly encourage you remain in solidarity with one another and to organize into some kind of organization, be it an IWW union, or simply an organization of volunteers. We also encourage you to remember this fight whenever you see workers engaged in efforts to better their lot in life. Remember all of the people who took action to support your efforts, and remember to return the favor to your fellow workers involved in struggles everywhere. Please recognize that activism and worker solidarity are worthwhile efforts and bring about changes that not only affect individual workplaces, but also better humanity and our world.
You don't have to be a union member or a socialist to enjoy the benefits of organizing, but please recognize that your struggle is a grand example of the type of organizing our two groups believe are the most important, that is that workers and communities should hold the ultimate authority over their workplaces and communities, not bosses, not corporations, not profits.
In Celebration, Unity, and Solidarity,
Richmond Industrial Workers of the World
Socialist Party of Central Virginia
We wholeheartedly recognize, and respect, that this struggle was waged by the dedicated volunteers at WTJU and the listeners that support them; we are happy to have been able to contribute in some way to that effort!
Additionally, we wholeheartedly recognize, and respect, that this struggle is far from over. We stand prepared to remain in solidarity with the announcers and community supporters as they continue to ensure that WTJU remains a place where culture and education is in the capable hands of people who are intrinsically aware of the delicate and important place community run radio holds worldwide.
It is our belief that the arts are an integral part of daily life; that music treated as a commodity, produced or dispersed purely for financial gain, is antithetical to true artistry; and that attempts to make educational, cultural, and musical institutions more competitive in a commercial market is folly to the highest degree. In short, we hope you might agree that art should be produced and disseminated not for profit, but for the bettering of our lives. We acknowledge that WTJU may be the last of its kind in resisting musical hegemony, and commoditization of the arts, and we applaud your hard fought battle as being a part of a larger, worldwide, struggle to promote the arts and arts education as something being worthwhile, and a necessity for a better life for all.
Furthermore, we are inspired when we see workers (yes, volunteers are workers too) gathering in unity to better their situations and workplaces. Even more inspiring is when workers are not only exerting their authority and expertise over their own workplaces, but actively struggling for a better community and world. The announcers of WTJU have done an incredible service to musical and educational culture. Not for profit, but to better the world. Your efforts are a testament to the natural desire of humanity to live in peace and prosperity despite what their bosses want.
We urge you to continue to struggle to make this victory a long lasting one. We highly encourage you remain in solidarity with one another and to organize into some kind of organization, be it an IWW union, or simply an organization of volunteers. We also encourage you to remember this fight whenever you see workers engaged in efforts to better their lot in life. Remember all of the people who took action to support your efforts, and remember to return the favor to your fellow workers involved in struggles everywhere. Please recognize that activism and worker solidarity are worthwhile efforts and bring about changes that not only affect individual workplaces, but also better humanity and our world.
You don't have to be a union member or a socialist to enjoy the benefits of organizing, but please recognize that your struggle is a grand example of the type of organizing our two groups believe are the most important, that is that workers and communities should hold the ultimate authority over their workplaces and communities, not bosses, not corporations, not profits.
In Celebration, Unity, and Solidarity,
Richmond Industrial Workers of the World
Socialist Party of Central Virginia
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