Attend Left Independent Politics Conference
Attend Left Independent Politics Conference
Attend Left Independent Politics Conference
Attend Left Independent Politics Conference
Attend Left Independent Politics Conference
This campaign is closed
Attend Left Independent Politics Conference
I am trying to raise money in order to attend the FUTURE OF LEFT & INDEPENDENT POLITICS ELECTORAL ACTION CONFERENCE which will be held in CHICAGO on MAY 2 & 3.
I'm including the call to the conference below, so you have some idea what it will be about. So far as I know, so far, I am the only person from Los Angeles attending this conference, which I think will be extremely important both for future left unity and for a united independent electoral strategy for the left.
I've also included below a list of endorsers of the event which include candidates from some of the most significant independent left electoral campaigns of the recent past including Kshama Sawant, Howie Hawkins and Dan LaBotz.
Upon my return from the conference I would like to help organize a public forum in which I could report back on the results of the conference and its significance for the Los Angeles left, California and the nation.
THE CALL
From impending climate catastrophe to the renewed assault on working class living standards, we don’t have time to waste on the status quo, lesser evils, and token reforms.
The richest 1% may own the two major parties, but the past year has seen an uptick in left electoral activity. From Kshama Sawant’s election as an open socialist on the Seattle City Council to the numerous other socialist and independent left campaigns in Chicago, New York, and elsewhere throughout Fall 2014 and Spring 2015, interest in a working class alternative is growing.
However, in order to really begin building a viable electoral alternative, we first need to forge unity between our disparate campaigns. Those of us struggling to build a left pole in the electoral arena have much to learn from one another. Therefore we propose a gathering of candidates, individuals, and organizations committed to a left political alliance in opposition to the two-party system of corporate-capitalist rule.
What we propose:
A dialogue for those who are commited to left politics outside of the two-party system
To discuss the “why” goals of running and winning in elections
To share experiences and reflections of campaigning
To share challenges after being elected to office and strategies for opening political space for social movement
Aims and Objectives:
To promote independent political action
To build cooperation among disparate movements, candidates, left/progressive parties
To develop and adopt a means for continued networking, conversation and cooperation
Priorities:
To gather experienced candidates
To intersect a broad range of non-sectarian left-independent organizers
To have respectful discussion on strategies and tactics
To seek representation from people of color, youth, women, LGBTQ, and disability activists
To include a mix of theoretical panels, inspirational talks, and practical workshops
We hope that you will endorse this conference, save the date, and join us in Chicago May 2-3, 2015.
ENDORSERS of this conference as of March 11th, 2015
Gayle McLaughin+ (Richmond City Council; former Mayor, Richmond CA, Richmond Progressive Alliance)
Tim Meegan (2015 Independent candidate for alderman, 33rd ward, Chicago)
Bruce Dixon (Managing editor, Black Agenda Report and co-chair of the Georgia Green Party)
Kshama Sawant + (Seattle City Council, Socialist Alternative)
Howie Hawkins (Candidate for Governor of New York , Green Party*)
Jorge Mújica (2015 Socialist candidate for alderman, 25th ward, Chicago)
Ellen David Friedman (Vermont Progressive Party*)
Dan LaBotz (Co-founder Teamsters for a Democratic Union; Editor, New Politics; Socialist Party* Candidate for U.S. Senate, OH 2010)
Mike Parker (Co-author Democracy is Power; Coordinator, Richmond Progressive Alliance*)
Gloria Mattera (Co-Chair, Green Party of New York*)
Eduardo Martinez + (Richmond City Council, Richmond Progressive Alliance)
Lance Selfa (author of The Democrats: A Critical History)
Bhaskar Sunkara (editor of Jacobin)
Angela Walker (Candiate for Milwaukee Sheriff, 2014), Kali Akuno (Cooperation Jackson*, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement*)
Jess Spear (Climate scientist and 2014 Socialist Alternative candidate for Washington State House)
Jovanka Beckles + (Richmond City Council, Richmond Progressive Alliance)
Cindy Sheehan (Anti-war activist, 2012 vice-presidential candidate, 2012, Peace and Freedom Party*)
Rosa Clemente (Hip hop activist, Vice-Presidential Candiate, 2008, Green Party*)
Jill Stein (Presidential Candidate, 2012, Green Party *)
Glen Ford (Journalist, Black Agenda Report)
Marsha Rummel+ (Madison WI Common Council. Progressive Dane*)
Ty Moore (Socialist Alternative candidate for Minneapolis City Council, 2003)
David Doonan+ (Mayor of Greenwich CT, Green Party*)
Debra Reiger (State Chair, California Peace and Freedom Party)
Mimi Soltysik (Socialist Party USA Male Co-Chair, 2014 candidate for CA State Assembly)
Joanne Landy (Co-Director, Campaign for Peace and Democracy, Editorial board member, New Politics)
Art Kazar (Local Executive Committee Member, Chicago Socialist Party)
Robert “Gabe” Gabrielsky (Green Party* candidate, New Jersey Second Congressional District in 2000, for State Assembly in 2001 and for State Senate in 2003)
Ann Menasche (Disability rights activist and attorney, Green Party* candidate for Secretary of State 2011)
Jason West + (Mayor of New Paltz, NY, Green Party*)
Todd Chretien (International Socialist Organization; Candidate for U.S. Senate (California), 2006)
Ian Schlakman (Green Party candidate for Congress MD 2014), Linda Thompson (Co-Chair, Green Party of CT)
Margaret Kimberley (Journalist, Black Agenda Report)
Bill Onasch (kclabor.org; Previously served on the Labor Party’s Interim National Council and Electoral Policy Commission)
Cam Gordon + (Minneapolis City Council Member, Second Ward, Green Party*)
Isa Infante (2014 Candidate for Governor, Green Party of TN)
John Halle (Green Party, previously New Haven Alderman), Nicole Deane (Dan Siegel for Oakland 2014 volunteer coordinator)
Carroll Fife (Dan Siegel for Oakland 2014 campaign coordinator)
Mike McCallister (Secretary, Wisconsin Green Party)
Ellis Boal (Green Party MI*)
Steve Early (author and labor journalist)
Joanna Misnik (Treasurer, Chicago Socialist Campaign; Solidarity), Bryan Koulouris (Socialist Alternative)
Rick Kissell (past candidate for Milwaukee Treasurer, past president of the AFL-CIO Translators’ and Interpreters’ Guild)
Robert Caldwell (Ebarb Tribal Council, Louisiana 2011-2013)
Karl Belin (Socialist Alternative)
Thomas Harrison (Co-Director Campaign for Peace and Democracy*)
John Strinka (Socialist Party USA Male Vice-Chair, 2012 Socialist Party USA candidate for IN House of Representatives)
Leon Bailey, Ph.D. (Department of Sociology, Roosevelt University)
Ian Swanson (2014 GP MI candidate for the U. of Michigan Board of Regents and ISO)
Mark A. Lause (Board member, The North Star)
Marilyn Langlois (Coordinator, Richmond Progressive Alliance)
Kemi Morten (Attorney at Law)
Richard Roman (Socialist Project, Toronto)
Larry Duncan (Labor Beat co-producer, CWA 14408*, retired)
Russell Saltamontes (writer, political science student, member of Democratic Socialists of America*)
Michael Steven Smith (New York author and attorney)
Kymore Freeman (#DCFerguson + We Act Radio)
Jim Smith (Former elected treasurer/councilmember, Venice Calif.; 2006 candidate for Congress; union activist; author; Peace & Freedom Party)
Lenny Brody (Justice Party National Steering Committee)
Cheri Honkala (2012 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Green Party*)
Against the Current (http://solidarity-us.org/atc)
International Socialist Organization (http://www.internationalsocialist.org/)
Campaign for a United Socialist Party
Chicago Socialist Campaign (http://www.chicagosocialistcampaign.org/)
Chicago D.S.A.
Chicago Socialist Party (http://chicagosocialistparty.org/)
eMerge (http://www.emergeleft.com/)
Green Party of New York State (http://www.web.gpnys.com/)
Jacobin (www.jabobinmag.com)
New Politics (http://newpol.org/_)
The North Star (http://www.thenorthstar.info)
Peace and Freedom Party (http://www.peaceandfreedom.org)
Socialist Alternative (http://www.socialistalternative.org/)
Red Wedge magazine (redwedgemagazine.com)
Socialist Action (http://socialistaction.org/)
Socialist Party of Texas
Solidarity (http://solidarity-us.org/)
Workers Action (http://workerscompass.org/)
Bold+ indicates sitting elected official;
* organizational listing for identification purposes of the individual endorsers only