Revolutionaries and the Ballot

A Conversation with Revolutionaries

February 9th., 2023

Session 1 – Watch Video Here

This Chicago election cycle could be as significant as the election forty years ago that elected Mayor Harold Washington. Join us to discuss how revolutionaries use this opportunity to expand the influence of the movement of the working class for a new, cooperative society, where everyone thrives.

Like 1983, we can see that Chicago – the “city that works” – is no longer working. “Public Safety” is on the lips of all the mayoral candidates;  at the same time, and because of years of grassroots efforts, elections to a police oversight board is on the ballot.  Meanwhile, the fight for basic needs such as the right to housing, health care, nutritious food, clean water, and education all reflect a fight for another dimension of public safety:  how can we be safe when thousands die every year for lack of health care? 

These are the issues that are forcing their way into an election in which one-third of the city council seats have no incumbent running.  Candidates running on a pro-socialist platform are opposed by a PAC initiated by developers and other corporate moguls who want a council who will bend readily to the greed of capitalism.  This is a time for revolutionaries to be active in the streets and at the ballot box. 

A slogan emerged out of the election of 1983.  Harold Washington announced it at his victory speech that year.  “It’s not the man, it’s the plan,” he said.  Everywhere across our city, the most dispossessed of our people are putting forth political demands to meet their needs.  In places, some candidates are giving those demands a platform. 

Join us to discuss how revolutionaries use this opportunity to expand the influence of the movement of the working class for a new, cooperative society, where everyone thrives.