Rochester ISO

Saturday, January 21: "Abortion: We Can't Lose the Right to Choose"

2012-01-15T23:44:00.002-05:00

"Abortion: We Can't Lose the Right to Choose"
Saturday, January 21st, 1:00 pm
Flying Squirrel Community Space
285 Clarissa St., Rochester, NY

Free and open to the public.
* Childcare available on site, please contact in advance: iso.rochester@gmail.com - 585-6878-ISO (687-8476) - www.rochesterISO.org

Featuring Sharon Smith, author, Women & Socialism: Essays on Women’s Liberation

January 22nd marks the 39th anniversary of legal abortion in the United States. The Roe v Wade decision, which legalized abortion, marked a tremendous victory for the Women's Liberation movement. Under persistent attack, access to abortion has steadily eroded - 87% of U.S. counties currently have no abortion providers. Numerous states have passed laws criminalizing various forms of abortion. Politicians in Washington, whether Republican or Democrat, have been unwilling to even say the word “abortion”, let alone mount a fight to defend the right to choose.

However, the outbreak of the “SlutWalk” movement around the world has shown that a new generation of women (and men) ARE willing to put up a fight for women’s rights. In many places, the Occupy Movement has also joined the fight. We need to enlarge and spread this movement. We need a women's rights movement that unapologetically defends a woman's right to choose.

Sharon Smith will explain the socialist strategy for fighting women's oppression today.

Friday, January 20: "Can It Happen Here? The Possibility of Working Class Revolution in the US"

2012-01-15T23:38:00.004-05:00

"Can It Happen Here? The Possibility of Working Class Revolution in the US"
Friday, January 20th, 7:00 pm

The Idea Factory, Wallace Library, Rochester Institute of Technology
Free and open to the public

Sponsored by RIT Branch of the International Socialist Organization (ISO) and the Center for Economic Research and Social Change (CERSC)

A YEAR of revolutionary change and massive social struggles around the world--that's how 2011 will be remembered in the history books.

After two years of a severe recession worldwide, and two more of a shallow and faltering economic recovery, anger and resentment have given way to resistance and struggle in country after country. The drive for austerity, meant to make workers pay for the crisis caused by the rich, has provoked mass discontent in places that seemed calm and immune from upheaval. From Egypt and Tunisia to Greece, Spain, Chile, and now the Occupy Movement in the US, the working classes of the world are expressing their bitterness at declining living standards, attacks on unions, and a whole range of other grievances.

But the drive for austerity has continued none the less. What will it take for US workers to stop the assault? What will it take to get real change? Is revolution something that only happens in other countries?

Join us for a discussion on these questions and the possibility for radical change in the US.

iso.rochester@gmail.com - 585-6878-ISO - www.rochesterISO.org

Saturday, January 21: “A Subterranean Fire: Mass Strikes in US History”

2012-01-15T23:36:00.004-05:00

“A Subterranean Fire: Mass Strikes in US History”
A fundraiser dinner for Haymarket Books 10th Anniversary
Saturday, January 21st, 6:00 pm
Workers United Union Hall
750 East Ave, Rochester, NY

Featuring Sharon Smith, author of Subterranean Fire: A History of Working-Class Radicalism in the United States and Women and Socialism: Essays on Women’s Liberation.

Despite decades of triumphant declarations that class struggle is irrelevant and dead n the US, it has returned. Mass protests in Madison, Wisconsin, teachers’ union protests in hundreds of cities and port shutdowns all along the west coast have shown US workers determination to resist the drive for austerity and an economy that serves the interests of the 1%.

Unknown to many, workers in the United States have a rich tradition of fighting back and achieving gains previously thought unthinkable, from the weekend, to health care, to the right to even form a union. Even the Occupy Movement can trace its origins to the Great Sit-down Strike wave of the late 1930’s where millions of workers occupied their workplaces demanding union recognition and better living standards.

Join us for dinner and a presentation by author Sharon Smith about the history of mass strikes in the US.

Co-Sponsors:
The Ronald G. Pettengill Labor Education Fund, the city branch of the International Socialist Organization (ISO), Next Generation United and the Center for Economic Research and Social Change (CERSC)

Dinner, Presentation and Discussion
$10 - $20 sliding scale, space is limited, call in advance to purchase a ticket*
585-687-8ISO (687-8476) or email iso.rochester@gmail.com

* Those who purchase tickets in advance will be entered into a special raffle with prizes including: pamphlets, books and political posters.

Dinner will consist of Egyptian Schwarma and Salad, catered by "Ream and Brian's Schwarma"
(vegetarian and gluten free options available)

* Childcare available on site, please contact in advance: iso.rochester@gmail.com - 585-6878-ISO (687-8476) - www.rochesterISO.org

ISO Year In Review 2011

2011-12-09T09:36:00.000-05:00

ISO Year In Review 2011 from N Alexander on Vimeo.

Can It Happen Here? The Possibility of Working Class Revolution in the US

2011-09-26T22:10:00.004-04:00

Time:	7:00 pm
Date:	Thursday, August 18th
Venue:	Rochester Community Television
	21 Gorham Street, Rochester NY 14605

2011 will be remembered in the history books as a year of revolutionary change and struggle around the world. From Egypt and Tunisia to Greece, Spain and now Chile, the working classes of the world are expressing their bitterness at declining living standards, attacks on unions, and a whole range of other grievances.

But what about here in the U.S.? Is there something different about the U.S. that prevents resistance from reaching the scale it has in other countries?

Join the Rochester branch of the International Socialist Organization for a discussion of these questions, the history of American radicalism, and the potential for working class revolution in the US.

Stop the Execution of Troy Davis!! National Day of Action

2011-09-09T22:36:00.003-04:00

THE STATE of Georgia is attempting to execute an innocent man--again.

Troy's case has long stood as one of the worst examples of the bias and flaws inherent in the death penalty system. He was convicted of murdering off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail in 1989, but there has long been compelling evidence of his innocence.

Even so, Georgia officials are pushing to kill Troy--and have scheduled his execution for 7 p.m. on September 21.

In response, activists in the U.S. and around the globe are gearing up to send one message to Georgia officials: Don't allow an innocent man to be executed!

Join us Thursday, September 15 for a forum about why we should defend Troy and abolish the racist death penalty.

Join us Friday at the Federal Building, 100 State St., for a rally and speak out to defend Troy.

For Updates, visit the Campaign to End the Death Penalty:

http://www.nodeathpenalty.org/organizing-updates/may-25-2011-organizing-update/take-action-troy-davis

http://www.facebook.com/pages/WE-ARE-Troy-Davis-Stop-the-Execution/159703870760233

http://socialistworker.org/2011/09/08/stop-the-murder-of-troy-davis

Myth of the Free Market Talk Slides

2011-08-21T20:03:00.000-04:00

As promised, here are the slides and citations from Brian L's "Myth of the Free Market" presentation. Video coming soon.....

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SLIDES

The Myth of the Free Market: How Capitalism Works for the Rich and Against the Rest of Us

2011-08-03T19:00:00.000-04:00

Time:	7:00 pm
Date:	Thursday, August 18th
Venue:	Rochester Community Television
	21 Gorham Street, Rochester NY 14605

The economic crisis that erupted in 2008 rocked the foundations of the world economy, sending thousands of banks and corporations out of business and even bankrupting entire countries, Greece and Spain being the latest. It also exposed the “Washington Consensus”, the ideology that the unregulated free market should rein supreme, as an utter disaster for humanity. Just under the surface of soaring corporate profits and a privatization bonanza, lurked unbridled greed corruption, and utter inequality.

As Noam Chomksy said, “the principle of really existing free market theory is: free markets are fine for you, but not for me.” And in this spirit, we, the working class, the ones most affected by the economic crisis, are being forced to pay for the failures of the banksters and corporate crooks. Instead of taxing the rich and the massive profits Wall St. made off the crisis (thanks to the public bailout with tax payer money) our government and governments across Europe are laying off workers, cutting social services, and stealing the retirements of a whole generation of workers.

Join us for a discussion on the myths of the free market ideologues and how we can fight for a better, more rational world.

Time:	7:00 pm
Date:	Thursday, August 18th
Venue:	Rochester Community Television
	21 Gorham Street, Rochester NY 14605

Sexism USA: We've Had Enough

2011-06-07T11:30:00.000-04:00

Sexism Today -- from widespread violence and degrading ideas to inequality at the workplace and unpaid labor at home -- reaches into every corner of our lives. But sexism has not always existed. Women’s oppression stems from the nature of our deeply unequal society, and a system that needs to divide and conquer in order to survive.

And people of all genders are fighting back! Grassroots mobilizations against sexual assault, victim-blaming and attacks on our reproductive rights are providing a glimpse of the potential to build a new movement for women’s rights. From Egypt to Yemen to Madrid, women are demanding a a place at the forefront of struggles for democracy and economic justice.

Come joins us for a discussion of how to carry these struggles forward and challenge the capitalist system as a whole -- to win a world based on genuine equality and true democracy, run from the bottom up.

Date/Time: Thurs. 6/16/2011, 7:00-8:30 pm
Presenter: Denise Herrera
Venue: GAGV Community Room, 875 East Main Street
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162680943799904
Readings:
http://socialistworker.org/2011/06/01/challenging-sexism-usa
http://socialistworker.org/2011/03/03/all-out-war-on-women
http://socialistworker.org/2011/05/17/a-new-womens-movement

From Cairo to Madison: Revolution in the Air featuring Deepa Kumar

2011-04-12T09:03:00.003-04:00

Endless war and plummeting living standards are hallmarks of the capitalist system in the 21st century. But 2011 brings hope! From Cairo, Egypt to Madison, WI, ordinary people are taking matters into their own hands and fighting back against the bankers, bosses, and despots.

Come out, hear Deepa Kumar speak on capitalism, the alternative (that we call socialism!), and the prospects for radical social change in the 21st century.

Deepa Kumar is the author of “Outside the Box: Corporate Media, Globalization and the UPS Strike” and is an Associate Professor of Media Studies at Rutgers University.

To get you stoked, here's a video of Deepa speaking on US Imperialism and Oil Politics.

-------------------

DATES, TIMES, and LOCATIONS:
-- SUNY Brockport: Thursday, April 21, 6:30pm. Seymour College Union.
Topic: From Cairo to Madison: Revolution in the Air

-- Rochester Institute of Technology: Friday, April 22, 7:00pm. "Idea Factory" in the RIT Library.
Topic: From Cairo to Madison: Revolution in the Air

-- Flying Squirrel Community Space Saturday, April 23, 11:00am. 285 Clarissa Street.
Topic: Islamophobia and War: The Scapegoating of Arabs and Muslims in America

If they can withstand a hail of bullets in Cairo and Libya, we can bear a snowstorm for women's rights

2011-02-25T10:50:00.003-05:00

The Rochester District of the ISO has called for a demonstration today in solidarity with NOW and Planned Parenthood to defend women's right to choice.

Here's a link to the Facebook scoop.

ISO Votes to Support Parent and Community Coalition for Educational Change

2011-02-24T13:34:00.002-05:00

The Rochester district of the International Socialist Organization (ISO) voted unanimously on February 24th to endorse, support, and participate in the Parent and Community Coalition for Educational Change.

The ISO stands resolute with the teachers of the Rochester City School District in their no-confidence vote against Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard. Brizard holds company with the embarrassments Cathie Black, Michelle Rhee, and Joel Klein as executors of the defunding of public education, the institution to which all working Rochester families have a right.

The ISO stands resolute against newly-elected Governer Cuomo and his intent to balance state budget deficits on the backs of working Rochesterarians, parents and teachers alike. No cuts to public education.

The ISO calls on all parents and teachers to attend the Rochester Communitywide Education Summit, March 11 at East High and March 12 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel. Our community will not be able to withstand the attacks against it unless we organize; Madison, WI leads the way.

2011-01-29T15:19:00.007-05:00

Stand With the Arab Revolt!
End US Support for Arab Dictators!

Thursday, February 10th · 7:30pm - 9:00pm
RIT's Wallace Library "Idea Factory", 1 Lomb Memorial Dr., Rochester, NY
Event on Facebook.

Right now, the streets of Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan and Yemen are all marked by masses of people taking to the streets to protest brutal regimes.

These regimes all have one thing in common: US support.

Egypt receives nearly $2 billion dollars a year in US military aid, making it the second greatest recipient of US foreign aid.

Come join us for a presentation by local activist Brian Lenzo and a discussion of the roots, causes, and prospects of unfolding revolution.

Brian traveled to the Gaza Strip in July 2009 to deliver humanitarian aid and witness the effects of Israel's blockade. He has written extensively on the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, the War on Terror and Palestine. His analysis has appeared on Al-Jazeera English, Socialist Worker Online as well as TheSitch.com

Resources

Kevin Ovenden -- the revolt shaking the arab world

MRZine -- can the Army Neutralize the People?

US National Guard unit heading towards Egypt

Israel Rallies to Mubarak

The Guardian -- Cairo in flames as cities become battlegrounds

Accuracy.org

Flyer for download, printing, and distribution

Thursday, February 10th · 7:30pm - 9:00pm
RIT's Wallace Library "Idea Factory", 1 Lomb Memorial Dr., Rochester, NY
Event on Facebook.

Rosa Luxemburg and the German Revolution: A "Dayschool"

2011-01-10T09:51:00.003-05:00

Join the Rochester branch of the ISO on Sunday, January 23rd, 2:00pm-6:00pm for presentations and in-depth discussions on the revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg, her pamphlet "Reform or Revolution", and the tragic German Revolution in which she was so influential.

The required readings are:

'Reform or Revolution' (available in the "Essential Rosa Luxemburg" -- http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/Essential-Rosa-Luxemburg )

The last five chapters of 'The Lost Revolution' by Chris Harman (available here -- http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/The-Lost-Revolution-Germany-1918-to-1923 )

The suggested supplementary reading is:

The biography of Rosa Luxemburg by Paul Frolich (available here -- http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/Rosa-Luxemburg )

For more information contact iso.rochester@gmail.com

The Rochester Marxist Conference

2010-10-05T09:27:00.004-04:00

The 2010 Rochester Marxist Conference presents
THE REVOLUTIONARY IDEAS OF KARL MARX
A serious crisis demands serious ideas

October 15th - 16th

Featuring:
Sherry Wolf - Leading LGBT rights activist and author of “Sexuality and Socialism”
Alan Maass - Editor of Socialist Worker.org and author of “The Case for Socialism”
Ashley Smith - American Marxist, Journalist and leading Voice in US Antiwar Movement

Rochester Institute of Technology
All sessions in The “Idea Factory” in the Wallace Library

Sponsored by the RIT International Socialist Organization
http://www.RochesterISO.org
iso.rochester@gmail.com

Free Admission. Donations accepted.
Recommended Parking: U-Lot. http://facilities.rit.edu/campus/maps

SCHEDULE (scroll down further for detailed descriptions of speakers and sessions)

Friday
7:00 pm - Session 1 - "Why are US politics shifting to the right and what can we do about it?"
Speaker: Sherry Wolf

Saturday
1:00 pm - Session 2 - "Marx’s Theory of Working Class Revolution"
Speaker: Alan Maass

3:00 pm - Session 3 - "Can the Working Class Unite?"
Speaker: Sherry Wolf

5:00 pm Pizza Dinner Break

6:00 pm - Session 4 - "Marxism and Political Organization"
Speaker: Ashley Smith

Ashley Smith
Ashley Smith is an American Marxist activist, journalist and editor. Ashley regularly speaks at rallies and demonstrations against the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, warning about the effects of globalization in poverty stricken nations like Haiti and Sudan, and the growing economic conflicts between the US and China.

Recent Articles:
http://socialistworker.org/2010/09/02/peace-talks-on-israeli-terms
http://socialistworker.org/2010/08/02/betrayal-of-haiti

Sherry Wolf
Sherry Wolf is best known for authoring, “Sexuality and Socialism: History, Politics, and Theory of LGBT Liberation.” She is also associate editor of the International Socialist Review and tours the country speaking on issues of equality and social justice.

Sherry served on the executive committee of the National Equality March Oct. 11, 2009 and has written for publications including the Nation, MRZine, Counterpunch, Dissident Voice, and Socialist Worker and speaks frequently across the country on the struggle for LGBT liberation as well as a wide range of social and economic jus- tice issues.

Most recently, Sherry was featured on MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews” where she defended religious tolerance and the right of Muslims to practice their religion in a mosque in downtown Manhattan.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38832480/ns/msnbc_tv-hardball_with_chris_matthews

Her Blog: http://sherrytalksback.wordpress.com

Recent Articles:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/01/meet-sherry-wolf-chicagoa_n_596485.html
http://www.isreview.org/issues/72/rev-athletes.shtml

Alan Maass
Alan Maass is the editor of SocialistWorker.org, a daily Web site of left news and views, and Socialist Worker, a monthly national newspaper. He has contributed to numerous publications and Web sites, including the International Socialist Review, Chicago Reader, CounterPunch, ZNet, Dissident Voice, SleptOn.com, In These Times, Socialist Review, In- ternational Socialism Journal, Rouge, New Politics and others.

Maass is author of the book The Case for Socialism (Haymarket Books) http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/The-Case-for-Socialism
an introduction to the socialist tradition, now in its third edition and published with an afterword by How- ard Zinn. Maass also contributed to the collections Independent Politics: The Green Party Strategy Debate (Haymarket Books) and Racing in the Streets: The Bruce Springsteen Reader (Penguin).

Recent Articles:
http://socialistworker.org/2010/09/13/plot-to-steal-our-future

Session Descriptions

Friday Workshop Session 1
7:00 pm - 8:45 pm
“Why are US politics shifting to the right and what can we do about it?”
Speaker: Sherry Wolf

As the November mid-term elections approach, there is no doubt that the Republican Party, be- holden to Tea Party voters, has worked itself into a right-wing frenzy – spewing racist vitriol against Latino immigrants and more recently, against Mus- lims.

Much of their message has, remarkably, gone un- challenged and sometimes even encouraged by “moderate” Democrats. It is no wonder that this has had a disorienting effect on huge swathes of people including radicals seeking social change. Many have concluded that the majority of the US population is simply too reactionary to allow meaningful reform to take place.

However, those who only get to hear one side of the story will often accept that point of view, at least partially. Join us for a discussion on what it will take to actually shift the debate and counter the right’s scapegoating of immigrants, Muslims and workers in general.

Saturday Workshop Session 2
1:00 pm - 2:45 pm
“Marx’s Theory of Working Class Revolution”
Speaker: Alan Maass

We are usually taught that change is the prod- uct of enlightened, courageous minorities working on behalf of the grateful masses. Marx’s was a 180-degree change in approach. “All previous his- torical movements,” he wrote, “were movements of minorities, or in the interest of minorities. The proletarian movement is the self-conscious, inde- pendent movement of the immense majority, in the interest of the immense majority.”

Unlike the anti-democratic regimes of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc, Karl Marx put work- ing class at the center of his vision for a socialist so- ciety. He also explained how capitalism is prone to major crises and those very workers who make the system run are positioned to not just overthrow the capitalist system, but run society themselves, in the interests of all classes of oppressed and subju- gated people.
Join us for a discussion on Marx’s theory and its relevance for today.

Saturday Workshop Session 3
3:00 pm - 4:45 pm
“Can the Working Class Unite?”
Speaker: Sherry Wolf

Its hard to deny that workers today, are not very united. From the attacks on immigrant workers, the scapegoating of Arabs and Muslims, discrimi- nation against LGBT people, and with racial profil- ing and police brutality a common feature of city life, there are many obstacles standing in the way of bringing workers together to fight for their com- mon rights. Some have concluded that its not pos- sible at all.

However, we believe that neither human nature nor the intelligence (or lack thereof) of workers is to blame. Capitalism divides the working class, based on sexual, gender, racial, national and other distinctions. The specially oppressed groups within the working class suffer the most under cap- italism.
Glimpses of unity can be seen, from the election of the first black president in US history to the appearance of immigrant rights and LGBT rights movements in the past few years. Join us for a discussion on whether the working class can unite and how can we work now to make it a reality.

Saturday Workshop Session 4
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
“Marxism and Political Organization?”
Speaker: Ashley Smith

When people in the United States think of political parties, they think chiefly, if not exclusively, of the Democratic and Republican Parties, and in rela- tion to these, they see politics purely as tedious electoral campaigns and vacuous mudslinging be- tween two organizations that represent a narrow band of interests.
This negative idea of political parties was at one time also reinforced by the experience of the Stalinized Communist Parties of the world--which were top-down, command-structured organiza- tions that blindly supported Stalin’s bureaucratic state capitalism, which bore little or no resem- blance to the socialism from below of Karl Marx.

Struggle changes consciousness, gives work- ers confidence in themselves and their ability to change things. In the process of fighting together with others who have not yet decided to become socialists, we are able not only to advance the struggle and win concessions, but we are able to win wider layers of people to the socialist project- -the fight for a world without exploitation or op- pression.
To achieve socialism, the most militant workers must be organized into a revolutionary socialist party. Join us for a discussion on what kind of organization is needed to fight for a better world.

Sponsored by the RIT International Socialist Organization
http://www.RochesterISO.org
iso.rochester@gmail.com

THIS WEEK!! Gaza Flotilla Survivor Tells Her Story: Ret. Col. Ann Wright Speaking Tour

2010-09-20T09:52:00.010-04:00

Thursday, September 23 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
RIT: Bamboo Room in the new "Campus Center"

Facebook Event Link

Ann Wright was part of the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla" of ships that was attacked by Israeli commandos on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. Tragically, 9 members of the flotilla, including an American citizen, were killed in that attack.

Part of her "Dissent: Voices of Conscience" tour of Upstate New York.

Ann Wright will speak about her experience on the boats and her long history of speaking out against injustice.

If, like most Americans, you haven't been exposed to much analysis and discussion on the current situation in Palestine, check out this article: "Peace on Israel's Terms", an interview with Naseer Aruri

Room Info: The Bamboo Room is located in the newly rennovated Campus Center, connected to the Student Alumni Union. Check here for campus maps: http://facilities.rit.edu/campus/maps/

END THE SIEGE OF GAZA, FREE PALESTINE!

Rochester ISO Picture of the Week

2010-09-13T09:39:00.004-04:00

Week of: September 13th, 2010

(Matt Swagler | SW)

Thousands of people descended on Lower Manhattan on September 11 for rival protests over the planned construction of an Islamic and interfaith community center a few blocks from the site of the destroyed World Trade Center.

The ISO was among many groups organizing to oppose the racist campaign against Arabs and Muslims in the US. READ FULL REPORT ON PROTEST HERE

Socialism: What it is and How We Get There

2010-09-03T13:23:00.004-04:00

Join us for our Fall Kick-off meeting

Thursday, September 16th at 7:30pm

RIT Library, in the "Idea Factory"

A presentation by local activist RJ Bean followed by a question, answer and discussion session.

The word "socialism" has returned to the mainstream of American political debate. But there are widespread misconceptions about what socialism is—and what it isn't.

Republicans fret that the U.S. is fast becoming a socialist country— with government spending on bank bailouts and Obama's health care reform. But the genuine tradition of “socialism from below” means more than just state intervention in the economy.

Socialism is really about the struggle to oppose discrimination in all its forms and to put the needs of working people before corporate profits.

Come to a meeting sponsored by the International Socialist Organization to discuss the idea of socialism—and socialist strategies for changing the world.

RSVP on Facebook

Classics of Marxism Series

2010-06-25T17:30:00.002-04:00

For Marxists, there is an indissoluble interrelation between ideas and what we do: theory and practice. The theory of Marxism draws upon the historical experience of the working-class movement; and that theory in turn informs our practice. Practice without theory is rudderless; theory without practice is academics.

Come and join the ISO at the following meetings for a summer-long intensive study on the classics of Marxism.

All meetings this summer take place at the Flying Squirrel Community Space on 285 Clarissa St, Rochester, NY and begin at 7:30pm on Thursdays.

Meetings marked with a * have required readings associated which are listed below.

Summer Calendar:
07/01 - Open ISO Working Meeting
07/08 - "Marx's Historical Materialism" *
07/15 - Open ISO Working Meeting
07/22 - "Marx's Political Economy" *
07/29 - Open ISO Working Meeting
08/05 - "The Politics of Social Classes" Part I *
08/12 - Open ISO Working Meeting
08/19 - "The Politics of Social Classes" Part II *
08/26 - "The Civil War in France" *
09/02 - Open ISO Working Meeting

Required Reading List:
07/08 - "Marx's Historical Materialism"
Prerequisite: Phil Gasper, The German Ideology
Read it online

Main reading:
Marx and Engels, Preface and First chapter of The German Ideology (83 pages)
Read it online
Marx and Engels, Theses on Feuerbach (3 pages)
Read it online
Engel’s: Letter to J. Bloch: (2 pages)
Read it online

07/22 - "Marx's Political Economy"
Prerequisite: Phil Gasper, Marx’s Capital
Read it online

Main Reading
Marx, Value, Price and Profit (43 pages)
Read it online
Capital, Part VI: Primitive Accumulation
(chapters 26, 27, 28, 30, 31,and 32) (55 pages)
Read it online

08/05 - "The Politics of Social Classes" Part I
(to follow the historical allusions,
make use of wikipedia on the subject.)

Prerequisites: Trotsky on 1848 (From Results and Prospects)
Read it online

Main Reading:
Engel’s introduction to Class Struggles in France (18 pages)
Read it online
Marx’s Class Struggles in France (87 pages)
Read it online

08/19 - "The Politics of Social Classes" Part II
Main Reading:
Engels’ preface to Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (2 pages)
Read it online
Marx, Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (82 page)
Read it online

08/26 - "The Civil War in France"
Prerequisite: Elizabeth Lalasz, The Civil War in France
Read it online

Main Reading: Marx, Civil War in France (45 pages)
Read it online

Motts Workers on Strike

2010-06-25T17:12:00.000-04:00

Motts Workers On-Strike!!!
Hear it directly from the workers.
Please consider joining the workers on the picket line! Delegates to the Rochester Labor Council, and the Finger Lakes Labor Assembly, please note the change of venue for your June Delegates meetings in support of our brothers and sisters at RWDSU Local 220.

For additional Information, please visit:
www.mottsworkers.org

Major Rally!
11am, Saturday, June 26, 2010
Rally Site: 4363 Route 104, Corner of Pound Road, Williamson, NY 14589

Bus Drop-Off: Next to Mott's Plant on Pound Road & Rt. 104
Bus Parking: Williamson Town Park, 3773 Eddy Road, Williamson, NY 14589-9357
Car Parking: Williamson Town Hall/Public Library, 6380 Route 21 (Lake Avenue) - Behind McDonald's on Route 104, less than 1/2 mile walk to rally site or shuttle buses will be provided

Socialism 2010 in Chicago

2010-05-24T12:48:00.007-04:00

A WEEKEND OF REVOLUTIONARY POLITICS, DEBATE, AND ENTERTAINMENT
Register today and join over two dozen of us going from Rochester!
Email: ISO.Rochester@gmail.com

With the economy in shambles and with wars and occupations continuing, the challenge to change these conditions confronts us all. More than a year ago, millions placed their hopes in Barack Obama and the Democrats to solve these problems. But after months of broken promises and concessions to conservatives, jobs are scarce, health care reform is on life support, and full equality for LGBT people remains elusive.

Socialism 2010—to be held in both Chicago and Oakland—will provide an unparalleled opportunity for new and veteran activists and scholars to explore questions about how we got into this mess and how we can get out of it.

Last year, more than 1,800 people turned out to explore the history of struggles of ordinary people, to learn about radical figures who led social movements and to debate theoretical questions that can help us change the world.

Don’t miss the chance to meet, talk and socialize with hundreds of others like you who want to build an alternative to a system of greed, racism, war and oppression.

Check out the promo video!

A carpool is being organized, so if you need transportation you should contact us as soon as possible.

Useful links:

Conference Schedule

Conference Speakers

Defend Public Education!

2010-04-19T12:04:00.002-04:00

Come to a meeting on why and how we must fight to
DEFEND PUBLIC EDUCATION

Calling all students, faculty, parents, and staff to attend and participate in discussion!

Thursday, April 22, 2010
7:30pm - 9:00pm
RIT Library - Idea Factory

We'll only get Mayoral Control, more budget cuts, more layoffs, and the busting of public sector unions if we don't fight back!

Sponsored by the International Socialist Organization

rochesteriso.org
socialistworker.org

ISO.rochester@gmail.com

Screening: "The People Speak"

2010-04-11T20:38:00.004-04:00

The People Speak
a documentary by Howard Zinn, Anthony Arnove, and Chris Moore

April 16, 2010 at 5PM
RIT Building 1, Room 2000

Inspired by Howard Zinn's bestseller A People's History of the United States and it's companion book Voices of a People's History of the United States this star studded documentary takes an unguarded look at our nation's decades-long struggle with the pressing issues of war, race, class, and women's rights. Viggo Mortenson, Danny Glover, Marisa Tomei, Matt Damon, and Kerry Washington, and other Hollywood stars stage impassioned readings of historical testimonies by the people who helped to shape our country's socio-political landscape, including Langston Hughes, Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglas, and Bob Dylan. Additional actors assume the roles of labor leaders, civil rights demonstrators, abolitionists, and various other trailblazers who weren't afraid to speak out during some of the more turbulent periods in our nation's history.

More info? email: ISO.rochester@gmail.com

May Day Planning Meeting

2010-04-07T20:40:00.002-04:00

Call for a community-wide effort to plan, organize, and mobilize for a May Day demonstration.

FULL EQUALITY FOR ALL
BAILOUT WORKERS, NOT THE CORPORATIONS

Planning meeting to decide all details -- a rally? march? evening activities or a combination of all three?
Date: Saturday, April 10th
Time: 12:00pm
Location: 285 Clarissa Street -- The Flying Squirrel Community Space
Email: ralph.bean@gmail.com
Phone: (585)-857-4732
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116467955030275

May Day, or International Workers' Day, occurs on May 1st. It is a holiday originally founded in the United States and that is celebrated all over the world but not here. The day commemorates the Haymarket Massacre of 1886 where working people, demonstrating with a demand for the eight-hour day, were fired on by police. Many were killed and the leaders of the march were framed and hung. Since then, celebrations and demonstrations have been held world wide on May Day to uphold the fight against oppression and exploitation wherever they occur in our highly segregated and highly unequal society.

In 2006, millions of undocumented workers struck and marched on May 1st against the villainous Sensenbrenner Bill (H.R. 4437) that would have made undocumented immigration to the United States a felony. That bill was defeated amidst the rise of the modern movement for immigrants' rights. In 2008, May 1st saw dockworkers organized in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union refuse to move any cargo on West coast ports in protest against the Iraq War.

Today, working class people in the US face ever worsening conditions. Median annual income for has plummeted from $43,416 a year in 1975 (in 2004 inflation-adjusted dollars) to $35,100 in 2004 and the housing crisis turned financial meltdown has only sharpened the edge, especially for young workers.

* Whereas Mayor Bob Duffy and Secretary Arne Duncan see fit to curb democracy with Mayoral Control, paving the way to bust our unions with charter schools, and...
* Whereas the federal government sees fit to fatten insurance corporations and leave workers with an excise tax, and...
* Whereas our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and especially transgender brothers and sisters have next to no protection in employment, housing, free speech in the military, or marriage equality, and...
* Whereas our undocumented hermanos y hermanas face unequal pay, face unequal housing, and live in fear of racist persecution, and...
* Whereas women were promised equality but still make 76 cents to their male coworkers' dollar and now face renewed attacks on their right to choose what to do with their own bodies, and...
* Whereas our rights continue to be dismantled and our arab and Muslim brothers and sisters face daily humiliation and persecution, and...
* Whereas the banks got bailed out and we got sold out, and...
* Whereas restoration of the tradition of May Day is long overdue...

We must plan a May Day demonstration.
We must stand in solidarity across lines of age, gender, race, sex, nationality, and sexual orientation.
We must begin to rebuild the Rochester Left.

Banks get bailed out, we get sold out.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
FULL EQUALITY FOR ALL WORKERS
BAILOUT WORKERS, NOT THE CORPORATIONS

Planning meeting to decide all details -- a rally? march? evening activities or a combination of all three?

Date: Saturday, April 10th
Time: 12:00pm
Location: 285 Clarissa Street -- The Flying Squirrel Community Space
Email: ralph.bean@gmail.com
Phone: (585)-857-4732

Every labor and community organization is welcome and needed.
Expect details for May 1st activities and a list of sponsoring organizations to be released the following week.
If you cannot attend but wish for your organization to co-sponsor May Day activities. Please reach us by email.

A People's History of US Empire

2010-03-17T20:11:00.004-04:00

In the spirit and tradition of Howard Zinn's "A People's History" series, the ISO presents...

A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF UNITED STATES EMPIRE

Thursday March 25, 2010 at 7:30PM

RIT Library in the Idea Factory

LET'S LEARN AND DISCUSS OUR HISTORY...
THEN STEER IT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!

The US military is most often portrayed as the "reluctant solider", only intervening when absolutely necessary, and ALWAYS on the side of freedom and democracy. From "Saving the World for Democracy" during WWII, to the "War on Terrorism" of the today, the US has always proclaimed its intentions as benevolent.

..But truth is a stubborn thing. The US, in reality, has a long legacy of US intervention AGAINST the forces of democracy and liberation and FOR the interests of the rich and powerful. From almost the inception of the new government in 1776, the US government has intervened in the affairs of other countries, from supporting dictators to overthrowing democratically elected governments.

However, that isn't the end of the story. the grasping talons of US empire has provoked heroic resistance both among the people it sought to dominate and among the people here in the United States. From the the fearless struggle of Native Americans against the encroaching cavalry to the young infantryman refusing orders in the jungles of Vietnam, the participants in these escapades made US domination anything but a certainty.

It is this history, the people's history, that deserves to be learned and taught throughout the land.

"Finally Got the News" the story of the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM).

2010-01-08T13:25:00.002-05:00

THE AMERICAN RADICALISM FILM SERIES PRESENTS:
"Finally Got the News" the story of the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM).

FINALLY GOT THE NEWS is a forceful, unique documentary that reveals the activities of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers inside and outside the auto factories of Detroit. Through interviews with the members of the movement, footage shot in the auto plants, and footage of leafleting and picketing actions, the film documents their efforts to build an independent black labor organization that, unlike the UAW, will respond to worker's problems, such as the assembly line speed-up and inadequate wages faced by both black and white workers in the industry.

Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: RIT Library, the IDEA FACTORY
** Fundraiser for the Center for Economic Research and Social Change (CERSC)
** Requested Admission: $5.00
** No one turned away for lack of funds

"Although most histories of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements give greater attention to [other groups]... the League [of Revolutionary Black Workers] was in many respects the most significant expression of black radical thought and activism in the 1960s. The League took the impetus for Black Power and translated it into a fighting program focusing on industrial workers."—Manning Marable, Director, Institute for Research in African-American Studies, Professor of History, Columbia University

"A classic! Rather than the lock-stepped, black-bereted, leather-jacketed Panther units of other films, FINALLY shows rather ordinary people becoming very angry with the system. Ideological in the best sense: it is a film about ideas [and] presents a serious strategy for mass working class action... It speaks of a specific time and specific experiences in terms that will remain relevant as long as working people are not able to control their own lives."—Dan Georgakas, for Cineaste

"[The League of Revolutionary Black Workers]... was one of the most important radical movements of our century - a movement led by black revolutionaries whose vision of emancipation for all is sorely needed today."—Professor Robin D.G. Kelley, New York University

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=271123958271

UPDATE: LOCAL RESIDENT CROSSES INTO GAZA STRIP WITH HUMANITARIAN AID AFTER DELAYS

2010-01-06T12:38:00.002-05:00

Local Contact:
Tom Middleton
Viva Palestina Convoy Member
585.739.5578
thomas.g.middleton@gmail.com

Brian Lenzo, organizer and press liason
International Socialist Organization and Rochester Against War
585.208.2772
truthtob@yahoo.com

LET'S CELEBRATE A CRACK IN THE EMPIRE
LOCAL RESIDENT CROSSES INTO GAZA STRIP WITH HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES AFTER DELAYS AND CONFLICT WITH EGYPTIAN AUTHORITIES.
PROTEST AT ROCHESTER FEDERAL BUILDING TO DEMAND BORDER CROSSING REMAIN OPEN!

Rochester Activists will congregate in front of the downtown Federal Building on Wednesday, January 6th at 4:30pm to demand the US government pressure the Egyptian government to open the Rafah Border crossing into the Gaza Strip permanently. Currently the border is open only temporarily and causes much suffering to the people of Gaza. Other demands include a formal apology from the Egyptian government for its attacks on the convoy yesterday evening.

Local Rochester Student Adriano Contreras is among a 500 strong humanitarian aid convoy (Viva Palestina) that is passing through the Rafah border crossing at 5pm Egyptian time after much delay.

Reports claim that last night, 2,000 riot police have moved towards the Viva Palestina convoy's camp in the Egyptian Port city of Al-Arish. There are conflicting reports of how the conflict started, but the police fired tear gas and there were confrontations between police and convoy members.

The "Viva Palestina" convoy originated in London, England, with a convoy of ambulances, buses, trucks and cars full of supplies and people. The convoy traveled through Europe, into Greece, into Turkey and is not traveling through Syria on its way to Jordan, Egypt and eventually the Rafah Border Crossing into Gaza. Adriano Contreras joined the convoy from the launch in London and has been reporting on their journey through Europe and the Middle East.

Convoy member Adriano has been posting about his travels on a popular blog called "The Sitch", http://www.theSitch.com
Local Contact:
Tom Middleton
Viva Palestina Convoy Member
585.739.5578
thomas.g.middleton@gmail.com

Brian Lenzo, organizer and press liason
International Socialist Organization and Rochester Against War
585.208.2772
truthtob@yahoo.com

The Sitch: http://www.thesitch.com/gaza-dispatches/
Viva Palestina Website: http://www.vivapalestina.org/home.htm
UN Goldstone Report on Gaza War: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/FactFindingMission.htm

Green Shoots on Withering Vines: The Current Economic Crisis

2009-12-14T11:17:00.002-05:00

Our friend over at the sitch is kind enough to host an mp3 of ISO member Ashley Smith's presentation on the current economic crisis.

The Sitch is also hosting a series of live dispatches from a convoy en route to the occupied Gaza Strip. Definitely follow this for the next month!

Audio recordings of all of the talks from the Socialism 2009 conference are now available!

2009-12-12T15:02:00.000-05:00

Download over 80 talks including, "What is socialism?," "Rosa Luxemburg's 'The Mass Strike'," "The two souls of socialism," "How the Russian revolution was won," "Marx's 'Capital'," and many more!

First, download the following file, which is in a .torrent format:
Socialism2009.torrent

Then, if you don't already have one, download and install a BitTorrent client. You can get one for free at the following link:
http://www.bittorrent.com/

Finally, open the Socialism2009.torrent file above with your new BitTorrent client, and get access to mp3 audio for all of the talks!

As the people, watch "the People Speak" with the Rochester ISO

2009-12-08T15:35:00.001-05:00

Join the Rochester Branch of the International Socialist Organization as we gather around Brian's awesome television and watch the long overdue viewing of Howard Zinn's The People Speak on the History Channel.

Zinn, whose books chronicle the struggles of Native Americans, women, workers and other Americans, said he'd like to continue to inspire activists.

"Our hope is that these words from the past will speak passionately and clearly to the needs of the present," he said.

Come join us for this viewing and let the discussion and organizing begin!

RSVP on Facebook!

Using dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries and speeches of everyday Americans, the documentary feature film THE PEOPLE SPEAK gives voice to those who spoke up for social change throughout U.S. history, forging a nation from the bottom up with their insistence on equality and justice.

Narrated by acclaimed historian Howard Zinn and based on his best-selling books, A People's History of the United States and, with Anthony Arnove, Voices of a People's History, THE PEOPLE SPEAK illustrates the relevance of these passionate historical moments to our society today and reminds us never to take liberty for granted.

THE PEOPLE SPEAK is produced by Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Chris Moore, Anthony Arnove, and Howard Zinn, co-directed by Moore, Arnove and Zinn, and features dramatic and musical performances by Allison Moorer, Benjamin Bratt, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Chris Robinson, Christina Kirk, Danny Glover, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, David Strathairn, Don Cheadle, Eddie Vedder, Harris Yulin, Jasmine Guy, John Legend, Josh Brolin, Kathleen Chalfant, Kerry Washington, Lupe Fiasco, Marisa Tomei, Martín Espada, Matt Damon, Michael Ealy, Mike O'Malley, Morgan Freeman, Q'orianka Kilcher, Reg E. Cathey, Rich Robinson, Rosario Dawson, Sandra Oh, Staceyann Chin, and Viggo Mortensen.

Afghanistan: Obama's Vietnam?

2009-12-07T17:37:00.002-05:00

RSVP: On Facebook
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009
Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: RIT Library -- the Idea Factory

In 2009, Newsweek International (Jan.), the Washington Times (Jan.), the NY Times (Aug.), The Wall St. Journal (October), and CNN (Oct.) have all run articles asking the same question. "Is Afghanistan Obama's Vietnam?" Newsweek International explained, "The analogy isn't exact. But the war in Afghanistan is starting to look disturbingly familiar."

Eight years after the initial invasion of Afghanistan, the US government is bogged down in a costly land war, against an indigenous, nationalist resistance movement among a population that doesn't want the US troops in their country. The war is threatening to spread into neighboring countries and is justified by a need to contain the spread of a dangerous ideology. We also have a democratic president, who was elected on promises of ending the war(s), but has now chosen to escalate against the wishes of a majority of Americans. To say the analogy is "disturbingly familiar" is a dramatic understatement.

To date, over 1,425 coalition forces have died in Afghanistan. Conservative estimates accumulated from more official yearly figures, put the death toll close to 11,000 civilians killed since our invasion in 2001. The actual number is most certainly higher, maybe by a magnitude of 10, with hundreds of thousands more injured, displaced, and driven into extreme poverty. By every measure, this war has become a quagmire.

Rather than looking out for the interests of the Afghan people, from the very beginning, the aims of the US occupation of Afghanistan have been to further its imperial interests around the globe. Its aims are to protect and expand US influence over energy resources and military power in Central Asia, at the expense of its global competitors, specifically Russia, China and Iran.

Join us for a discussion about the current state of the war in Afghanistan and what we can do to bring it to an end.

Brian Lenzo is a long-time antiwar activist from Rochester, NY. He has contributed numerous articles to Socialist Worker Newspaper and TheSitch.com on the history of the Vietnam antiwar movement and, GI resistance and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recently he published 6 Reasons to Oppose the War in Afghanistan.

In July, Brian traveled to the Gaza Strip with British MP George Galloway, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and 200 other Americans with the Viva Palestina convoy to deliver humanitarian aid and bear witness to the aftermath of Israel's attack in January 2009. He is currently traveling the country sharing his pictures and experiences.

With Babies and Banners: Story of the Women's Emergency Brigade (1979)

2009-11-02T19:13:00.001-05:00

Thursday, November 5, 2009, 7:30pm - 9:30pm, Wallace Library - Idea Factory, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY.

Free Admission
Free Pizza

====

Merriam Webster Definition of "Radical"
1 : of, relating to, or proceeding from a root
2 : of or relating to the origin
3 : marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional

The United States is the nexus of global capitalism. It is the richest country in the history of the world. It is the home of the "free market" delivering the "American Dream" to anyone who dares to reach for success. However, in its 233 year history, many have woken up to a nightmare.

The US is also the ancestral home to slavery, Jim Crow segregation, the nuclear bomb, and the genocide of the Native Americans. Rather than go back to sleep, millions have risen from their slumber and shaken the roots of not just US, but global capitalism.

The fight for the 8 hour work day, International Women's Day, and the "Sit-In" trace their origins to these forgotten heroes. Many times, it was those cut by the sharpest edge of American discrimination that lead the fight: immigrants, African-Americans, women.

This series aims to uncover the forgotten stories of the American Radicals.

===

The classic WITH BABIES AND BANNERS presents, the untold story of the women who became the backbone of The Great General Motors Sit Down Strike of 1937 –the labor movement's key to the successful drive for industrial unionism and a better life for working Americans.

Go here for a full film description:
http://www.motionpix.info/WITH-BABIES-AND-BANNERS.html

===

This movie series is part of a nation-wide effort by the Center for Economic Research and Social Change (CERSC) to raise funds for another year of publishing and outreach. The RIT branch of the International Socialist Organization (ISO) is proud to host this series here in Rochester.

However, CERSC does not recieve corporate sponsorship. Its projects like Haymarket Books and the International Socialist Review (ISR) magazine rely entirely on sales and donations from its supporters.

We ask that you consider donating to CERSC at the event to help them continue publicizing and spreading the ideas a new generation will use change the world for the better. CERSC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and 100% of your donation will go directly to them.
Links

24 Hours in Gaza feat. Brian and Ream

2009-09-29T19:30:00.002-04:00

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009
Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: RIT Library - Idea Factory
Email: rochISO@yahoo.com

Ream and Brian were with the first Gaza-bound Viva Palestina delegation of solidarity activists from the US. The delegation was allowed to enter Gaza on July 15 with truckloads of desperately needed humanitarian supplies--but under the condition that the convoy leave again within 24 hours.

The delegation, led by British Member of Parliament and antiwar activist George Galloway, met one bureaucratic obstacle after another from Egyptian authorities. After negotiating an agreement with the government, the convoy finally left for the Rafah border crossing after several days, with some of its supplies barred from getting through.

These two Rochester activists will talk about their experience.

Slide show presentation followed by Q+A

Free Admission

RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136886258741&ref=ts

Sponsored by the International Socialist Organization

Co-Sponsored by
Viva Palestina-US, TheSitch.com

For more information on the Viva Palestina-US convoy visit www.vivapalestina-us.org
Sherry Wolf on Palestine: http://thesitch.blip.tv/file/1892470/
Raja Abdulhaq | Eyewitness to Occupation: http://thesitch.blip.tv/file/1952559/

Socialism: What it is and why we need it | Fall 2009

2009-08-28T19:59:00.001-04:00

Public forums around the country this fall

The word "socialism" has returned to the mainstream of American political debate. But there are widespread misconceptions about what socialism is--and what it isn't.

Republicans fret that the U.S. is fast becoming a socialist country--with government spending on bank bailouts and Barack Obama's proposed health care reform. But the genuine tradition of "socialism from below" means more than state intervention in the economy.

Socialism is really about the struggle to oppose discrimination in all its forms and to put the needs of working people before corporate profits.

Come to a meeting sponsored by the International Socialist Organization to discuss the idea of socialism--and socialist strategies for changing the world.

Here is a link to a list of meetings in cities and towns around the US (including Rochester).

Meeting: Capitalist Economics in Crisis

2009-08-21T17:45:00.003-04:00

The optimists claim that an economic recovery is near at hand, based on a recent stock market bounce and some less-bad-than-usual economic statistics.

Most sober-minded economists say otherwise. They point to the suffocating effect of the financial crisis on the underlying real economy, which has slowed consumer spending, squeezed world trade and threatened corporate bankruptcies well beyond finance and real estate.

Join the ISO for a discussion on the economic crisis -- how did it start, how can Marxism inform our analysis, how do things look from here on out, and how can we best organize to defend ourselves and our fellow workers against forced austerity measures.

Thursday, August 27, 7:30PM
Underground Railroad Cafe

RSVP on the Facebook Event

Supplemental reading:

ISR Issue 57, Jan-Feb, 2008, The coming economic meltdown

ISR Issue 58, Mar-Apr, 2008, More than a recession: An economic model unravels

ISR Issue 2, Fall 1997 -- Contradictions of the "Miracle" Economy

State Capitalism in Russia

2009-08-21T17:38:00.001-04:00

TheSitch is hosting an mp3 of Brian Lenzo's recent talk on "State Capitalism in Russia".

Introduction to the ISO

2009-08-19T17:21:00.003-04:00

In an effort to educate our friends and allies on the ideas of the International Socialist Organization, on how and why we operate the way we do and what it means to be a member of the ISO, we are holding a weekly series of informal discussions titled Introduction to the ISO on Sundays at 5:00pm at Equals Grounds. Come with your questions and a passion for social justice!

Paul D from ISO's national leadership came up with this great pamphlet to use as a starting point for discussions. If you plan on coming, contact us to find out what sections we're reading for that day!

You can find the Facebook event here.

Where We Stand: Socialism, not Capitalism

War, poverty, exploitation and oppression are products of the capitalist system, a system in which a minority ruling class profits from the labor of the majority. The alternative is socialism, a society based on workers collectively owning and controlling the wealth their labor creates.

We stand in the Marxist tradition, founded by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, and continued by V.I. Lenin, Rosa Luxemburg and Leon Trotsky.

Workers' Power

Workers create society's wealth, but have no control over its production and distribution. A socialist society can only be built when workers collectively take control of that wealth and democratically plan its production and distribution according to human needs instead of profit.

The working class is the vast majority of society and is the key to the fight for socialism. Workers' central role in production gives them a social power--by use of the strike weapon--to paralyze the system like no other social force.

Socialism is working-class self-emancipation. Only mass struggles of the workers themselves can put an end to the capitalist system of oppression and exploitation.

We support trade unions as essential to the fight for workers' economic and political rights. To make the unions fight for workers' interests, rank-and-file workers must organize themselves independent of the union officials.

Revolution

We actively support the struggle of workers and all oppressed people for economic, political and social reforms, both as a means to improve their conditions and to advance their confidence and fighting strength. But reforms within the capitalist system cannot put an end to oppression and exploitation. Capitalism must be replaced.

The structures of the present government grew up under capitalism and are designed to protect capitalist rule. The working class needs an entirely different kind of state--a democratic workers' state based on councils of workers' delegates.

We do not support candidates of capitalist parties like the Democrats or the Republicans. We support genuine left-wing candidates and political action that promotes independence from the corporate-dominated two-party system in the U.S.

Internationalism

Capitalism is an international system, so the struggle for socialism must be international, uniting workers of all countries. Socialists oppose imperialism--the division of the globe based on the subjugation of weaker nations by stronger ones--and support the self-determination of oppressed nations. We oppose all immigration controls.

We oppose U.S. intervention in Cuba, the Middle East, and elsewhere. We are for self-determination for Puerto Rico.

China and Cuba, like the former Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc, have nothing to do with socialism. They are state capitalist regimes. We support the struggles of workers in these countries against the bureaucratic ruling class.

Full Equality and Liberation

Capitalism divides the working class, based on sexual, gender, racial, national and other distinctions. The specially oppressed groups within the working class suffer the most under capitalism.

We oppose racism in all its forms. We support the struggle for immigrant rights. We fight for real social, economic and political equality for women, and for an end to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

We support the fight for Black liberation and all the struggles of the oppressed. The liberation of the oppressed is essential to socialist revolution and impossible without it.

The Revolutionary Party

To achieve socialism, the most militant workers must be organized into a revolutionary socialist party. The ISO is committed to playing a role in laying the foundations for such a party. We aim to build an independent socialist organization, rooted in workplaces, schools and neighborhoods that, in fighting today's struggles, also wins larger numbers to socialism.

Police Brutality (in the Obama Era)

2009-08-14T14:32:00.005-04:00

From Sean Bell to Oscar Grant, from Henry Gates to "a punch in the face", the last 2 years have shown a horrific rise in the level of police anger and confidence. The police force is not what you might think after watching an episode of “Leave it to Beaver.” No, they are an institution set up to discriminate against the poor and minorities and are authorized to use the most terrific violence. Repression is a constant feature of capitalism. The justice system is set up to fail us and keep those at the top in control. With that in mind, how should we address the real problems of crime and violence in our city?

The solution is not to double the size of the police force but to TAKE ON poverty, unemployment, and our underfunded public schools. With the election of Obama, police brutality continues to mark a stark contradiction in this new era.

The INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST ORGANIZATION invites you to join us for a discussion on police brutality, race, and racism in the Obama Era and what we in Rochester can do about it. All groups involved in the fight against racism are welcome to attend to contribute, share, and promote their ideas and activities.

7:30PM -- Thursday, August 20th
Underground Railroad Cafe
480 West Main Street

Free and open to the public
visit: http://rochesteriso.org or
email: rochISO@yahoo.com for more info.

Rochester ISO on Facebook

2009-08-14T14:08:00.003-04:00

We now have an updated presence on Facebook. Check it out.

GLBT Liberation, Revolution and Socialism

2009-05-22T21:17:00.002-04:00

From Iowa to Vermont, from Sweden to DC, there is momentum in society around the fight for equal marriage. NY state is the next battleground but the war for our rights is far larger.

Join the ISO for a discussion on the theory, politics, and history of GLBT liberation and how we can fight a capitalist system that needs to divide us while immiserating us all:

Thursday, June 4th, 7:30pm
Cafe Underground Railroad
480 W. Main St.

Same-Sex Marriage "Day of Decision" Rally

2009-05-22T20:38:00.005-04:00

We have just learned that the California Supreme Court will announce its decision on Proposition 8 Tuesday, May 26th. If it follows past practice, the court will make its announcement at about 10am pacific time (1pm, eastern/12pm noon central).

Depending on what the court decides, we will either protest or celebrate!

We will protest if the court upholds Prop 8, and invalidates the 10,000 same-sex marriage licenses that California already issued.

We will celebrate if the court rejects Prop 8 and says that same-sex couples are entitled to the marriage rights that heterosexual couples already have.

So call, email, facebook, twitter your friends!

Day of action:

Tuesday, May 26th, 5:30pm
at the Liberty Pole

http://dayofdecision.org/

Socialism In Practice: The Russian Revolution 1917

2009-05-17T12:31:00.004-04:00

Socialism has entered mainstream discussion. And why wouldn't it? It's clear that capitalism and the free market doesn't work. We are in the midst of the deepest economic crisis since the Great Depression. And workers are being forced to pay for the failures of the system (foreclosures, budget cuts, job losses) while Wallstreet gets bailed out with billions.

So what's the alternative to a system run by a small minority in the interest of profit? Socialists argue that the alternative worth fighting for is a system in which workers run society based on direct democracy in the workplace.

The Russian Revolution in 1917 succeeded in overthrowing capitalism and establishing a workers' government for length of time. For the first time in history, ordinary people controlled their own lives collectively and democratically. Join us for a talk and discussion on why we should look to the Russian Revolution as an example of what Socialism in practice looks like:

Thursday, May 21st, 7:30pm
Underground Railroad Cafe
480 West Main Street

Background Readings:
Part I: http://www.isreview.org/issues/58/feat-trotskyhistory.shtml
Part II: http://www.isreview.org/issues/60/feat-trotsky.shtml

Global Day of Action for Troy Davis

2009-05-17T11:46:00.004-04:00

In 1989, Troy was convicted of the murder of off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail, despite the fact that there was no physical evidence tying him to the crime. Since then, seven of the original nine witnesses who claimed Troy was guilty have recanted, with several saying they were coerced by police into making false statements.

Despite compelling evidence that Troy was wrongly convicted, the state of Georgia has tried to push forward with his execution three times in the past two years and has resisted all attempts to have crucial evidence heard in court.

On April 16, the Federal court rejected Troy Davis’ appeal. Judge Rosemary Barkett dissented and wrote, “To execute Davis, in the face of a significant amount of proffered evidence that may establish his actual innocence, is unconscionable and unconstitutional”.

The 30-day stay issued by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals expires on May 15th.

So now is the time for us to organizeto save the life of Troy Anthony Davis. We're asking everybody to come out strong on May 19th – a day marked in human rights calendars across the world as the Global Day of Action for Troy Davis.

Tuesday, May 19th, 12pm
Outside the Hall of Justice
(17 East Main St, Rochester, NY)

A factsheet about Troy's case is available on Amnesty International's Website.

http://www.troyanthonydavis.org/

Marx is Back, RIT

2009-04-28T17:08:00.002-04:00

They said Marx was dead. Then came the realities of globalization. Then came endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then came the greatest economic crisis sisnce the Great Depression. Now, Marx's ideas seem to explain the world a lot better than what you see on Fox News.

But Marx also predicted that the inequalities of capitalism would give rise to resistance. And we've only just begun to see the emergence of a new generation of struggles, from the protests for immigrant rights, to the factory occupations of workers in Chicago, to the massive outpouring of solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine.

Socialists believe that these struggles can be joined to fight for a different type of society. Come to a discussion of Marx's ideas and how they apply to today. As Marx said, "philosophers have only interpreted the world, the point is to change it."

Thursday, April 30th, 7:30pm
RIT Library "Idea Factory"

Rochester Socialism Day School

2009-04-21T21:21:00.004-04:00

Session 1: What is the Real Marxist Tradition?

According to a recent Rasmussen poll, 37% of Americans under 30 years old would prefer socialism to capitalism. This begs the question, what exactly do we mean by "socialism". With the legacies of both Stalinism and McCarthyism, and before the fall of the Soviet Union, most people have associated "socialism" with one-party state rule. Others think of capitalist countries with substantial welfare states such as France or Sweeden when they define socialism. Marx defined socialism as something totally different--as workers direct control of society at the point of production.

Readings:
"What is the Real Marxist Tradition?" by John Molyneux

Session 2: The Marxist Strategy to Liberate the Oppressed

With activists across the country celebrating the victories in Vermont and Iowa--two of the latest states to grant same-sex couples the right to marry, big questions are coming to the table regarding how to fight oppression within capitalism. Socialists see the fight against oppression within capitalism as a necessary part of the struggle against the whole system. The way that Marxists understand oppression as a central part of the functioning of the capitalist system itself informs the way in which socialists fight against all forms of oppression today.

Readings:
"The Meaning of Marxism", Chapter 10 by Paul D'Amato

"Black Liberation and Socialism", Conclusion by Ahmed Shawki

"Women and Socialism", Chapter 5 by Sharon Smith

Session 3: The Case for Building a Revolutionary Socialist Party

The legacy of Leninism and the Bolshevik Party is perhaps the most hotly disputed issue within the Left today. Most on the Left argue that building a revolutionary socialist party is elitist, authoritarian, and out-dated. This session will not only put forward a defense of Leninism, but argue that building revolutionary organization is necessary today for revolutions to succeed tomorrow.

Readings:
"Lenin's Theory of the Party" by Todd Chretien

"Party and Class" by Chris Harman

"Toward a Revolutionary Socialist Party" by Duncan Hallas

"In Defense of Leninism" by Sharon Smith

Sunday, May 3rd, 2pm-5:30pm
Rochester Institute of Technology
Building 55, Room 1300

Marx Is Back Tour!

2009-04-19T19:31:00.004-04:00

New Socialism Conference '09 Video

2009-04-18T12:13:00.000-04:00

Socialism 2009; A Weekend of Revolutionary Politics, Debate, and Entertainment from RedReel on Vimeo.

Next ISO Meeting

2009-04-07T11:38:00.003-04:00

The next meeting of the International Socialist Organization will be on Thursday, April 9th in the RIT Library Idea Factory at 7:30pm.

Four agenda points have been proposed for this meeting:

Part I will be a presentation on our annual summer Socialism Conference in Chicago taking place on June 18-21. Banks are getting bail-outs after ruining the economy while unemployment figures hit record levels. Building a Socialist alternative has never been more urgent. We will be discussing how this conference fits into building this alternative as well as how we are going to raise the funds to ensure that everyone serious about this project from Rochester is able to attend.

Part II will be a quick update on the Marx Is Back! tour we are in the process of setting up. We plan to have a bunch of meetings on campuses to discuss the relevance of Marx's ideas for explaining the way capitalism works today. But we also aim to show that Marxism provides a guide to action for activists serious about organizing for revolution today.

Part III will be a presentation on how we can use the new issue of Socialist Worker Newspaper to connect up socialist ideas with our friends and co-workers as well as in our organizing these coming weeks.

Part IV will be a proposal and vote to add a new Socialism Conference fraction (or working group) to our branch division of labor. Specifically, the Socialism Conference fraction will need to work on: 1) Centralizing registration, 2) Housing, 3) Transportation, and 3) Fundraising (although the whole branch--especially members that need fundrasing--will be involved in fundraising).

For more info, contact us at: Rochiso@yahoo.com

RIT rallies for campus union drive

2009-04-06T10:35:00.002-04:00

By Brian Erway | April 6, 2009

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--Over 75 students, workers and community supporters marched around the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) March 27 in a noisy and spirited display of support for campus workers who are trying to organize a union.

The rally began outside one of the main dining centers, and focused support for the custodial, dining service and facilities workers under the slogan, "We care for the workers who care for us."

Since passing out union cards a few weeks ago, RIT workers have faced a campaign of intimidation and warnings from management. Supervisors have corralled workers into "captive audience" meetings, and approached individual workers to threaten them with loss of their jobs, their tuition waivers, or other benefits.

In response, students have formed the United Student-Labor Alliance (USLA), to coordinate support for the union drive. They've collected hundreds of petition signatures calling on the RIT administration to cease its intimidation campaign and allow workers to have a real choice in deciding to form a union.

At the rally, USLA made a point of pausing the march beneath RIT President William Destler's office window, so he might hear some of the chants and speeches of the union supporters. Then, organizers took the march indoors and paraded--quietly this time--through RIT's three main dining centers to show solidarity with the workers still inside.

Workers at RIT will need continued encouragement and solidarity to force open the door to the first union organizing on campus. USLA is planning more actions to help the workers and Service Employees International Union Local 200 in their efforts.

Origionally published in Socialist Worker Online, April 6, 2009

Socialism Conference 2009

2009-04-05T10:31:00.004-04:00

The world economic crisis has shattered the free-market consensus that has dominated politics for the last generation. Meanwhile, the end of the conservative era and the election of the first African American president have raised expectations among working people that long overdue change is at hand. With capitalism in crisis, even some in the mainstream media are admitting that Karl Marx was right.

There has never been a better time for those who want to see fundamental change to get together to debate, discuss and organize for a new society—a society based on the needs of the many instead of the whims of a few. We need to organize a new left to meet the challenge of this new era.

That’s the purpose that Socialism 2009—expanded to two sites this year—has set for itself. Gather with activists from around the world to take part in dozens of discussions about changing the world: How can we end racism? What kind of organization do we need? What would a future socialist society look like?

Yes we can organize for socialism in the 21st century! ¡Sí se puede!

Sponsored by: Center for Economic Research and Social Change, publisher of International Socialist Review and Haymarket Books; International Socialist Organization, publisher of Socialist Worker and Obrero Socialista.

Housing and transportation will be organized from Rochester. Contact us at Rochiso@yahoo.com for more info.

SOLIDA{RIT}Y RALLY

2009-03-26T15:55:00.001-04:00

Come show your support for RIT workers trying to unionize!

Workers have already begun to come together to form their union. Faced with threats of layoffs and benefit cuts, some report a great deal of fear about showing their support. Some have said that signing a card in support of the union will mean a complete takeover of temporary contract workers.

NO ONE SHOULD BE IN FEAR OF TERMINATION FOR SUPPORTING A UNION

So let students be the voice of the scared!

Students cannot be threatened into submission because we pay the tuition - we have the power of redress not afforded to the workers.

Show the administration that students care for the people who care for us, and that all workers should be given the basic human right to collectively bargain the terms of their employment.

Socialism Conference Videos

2009-03-26T15:34:00.000-04:00

Sharon Smith - Unite and Fight? Marxism and Identity Politics - Socialism 2008

Brian Jones at Socialism 2008 on Martin Luther King's Last Struggle

Dahr Jamail on Iraq Eyewitness to Occupation at Socialism 2008

Dave Zirin - People's History of Sports at Socialism 2008

Educational Meeting

2009-03-20T09:32:00.000-04:00

Socialists and Unions

In a crisis economy, with foreclosures at record numbers, and real unemployment figures reaching depression-decade levels, it is more important than ever for workers to organize.

In some ways, the prospects look good. Obama has promised to walk picket lines with workers and pass the Employee Free Choice Act--which would allow workers to form unions with a majority of workers signing union cards. Here in Rochester, workers are organizing at RIT and our ISO members are helping to build a solidarity campaign of students, faculty and community members.

There is a hidden history of radicalism in the United States where socialists have played a crucial role in the labor movement and building unions. This comes from socialist politics, specifically Marxism.

Join us for a talk and discussion on the socialist analysis of the labor movement, how socialists approach building unions, and how we can put Marxism into practice today.

Required Readings:
1. "Mobilizing the Power of the Rank and File" by Paul D'Amato: http://socialistworker.org/2008/01/25/rank-and-file ,
2. "Marxism and the Trade Union Struggle" by Cliff and Gluckstein: http://www.internationalsocialist.org/pdfs/Marxism_TradeUnions.pdf , and
3. "The Labor Movement, State of Emergency, Signs of Renewal" by Lee Sustar: http://isreview.org/issues/34/stateofemergency.shtml

Thursday, April 2nd, 7:30pm
RIT Library "Idea Factory"

Meeting

2009-03-20T08:26:00.000-04:00

--------FORWARD WIDELY-----------
SOLIDA{RIT}Y
WE CARE FOR WORKERS
THAT CARE FOR US

[RIT WORKERS]:
DESERVE LIVING WAGES!
DESERVE FULL HEALTHCARE!
DESERVE A VOICE!

[WAGES ARE FROZEN, TUITION IS RISING]
YET RIT PRESIDENT DESTLER MAKES:
OVER $1,000,000/YEAR, $20,000/WEEK, $500/HOUR!

JOIN US FOR A PANEL OF SPEAKERS AND DISDUSSION ON BUILDING STUDENT, FACULTY AND COMMUNITY SOLIDARITY WITH WORKERS AT RIT. IT'S TIME TO ORGANIZE!

THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH, 7:30PM
RIT LIBRARY "IDEA FACTORY"

Sponsored by: The United Student Labor Alliance, The International Socialist Organization...(More to come!)

If you or an organization you are apart of would like to sponsor this event/campaign/organizing drive, please contact us at RITStudentLaborAlliance@gmail.com