Socialist Summit set for Philadelphia

The Philadelphia branch of Workers World Party/Partido Mundo Obrero will hold a Socialist Summit on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Calvary Church, located in the southwest part of the city at the intersection of 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue.

One of the main purposes of the conference is to address some of the crucial questions that have been raised at the Occupy Philly (OP) site in City Hall’s Dilworth Plaza. The Occupy Movement has changed the political climate in this country. It has exposed the criminal nature of the capitalist state, both in how the state defends the rich exploiters against the poor and exploited masses of workers and, in many cities, how it has brought brutal police repression down upon the movement.

This movement, launched by mostly white youth who do not see a future for themselves, has opened a door to the possibility of an enormous jump in class consciousness. It has exposed the great class divide that exists with its slogan of “the 99% versus the 1%.” The youth have shown great courage in initiating the occupations.

The revolutionary forces can contribute by broadening the political perspective in order to reach out to the rest of the working class and help bring in elements of the communities who have been absent in the movement and who are essential to its success.

This is the time to address clearly, in a popular way, what the role of the state is and why racism, anti-LGBT bigotry, sexism and anti-immigrant sentiments are enemies of working class unity. Above all, we need to discuss what can replace capitalism and how only a socialist system can bring real economic and social justice.

In Philadelphia, WWP/PMO members have been part of Occupy Philly from day one and have been engaging many people in lively discussions about a variety of topics.

This city is the home of Mumia Abu-Jamal, who has spent three decades in prison after being framed for the death of a cop by the infamous Philadelphia police and the city’s ruling class. His case must be part of OP’s agenda, which must take up the pervasive racism in a city where the majority are people of color. The struggle of the immigrant community, both documented and undocumented workers, should also be part of the OP’s demands.

These are only some of the topics that will be reflected in the program of this socialist conference. However, the main overall topic will be about the absolute bankruptcy of the capitalist system and the need for socialism, which is not only possible in this country but inevitable, given the high level of productivity. International solidarity and an end to U.S. wars and occupations abroad are also essential to the masses in this country.

Two members of WWP/PMO’s Secretariat will speak at the conference: First Secretary Larry Holmes and Secretariat member Fred Goldstein, author of “Low-Wage Capitalism.” Other speakers will include Pam Africa of the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal and Susan Abulhawa, Palestinian author of “Mornings in Jenin.”

For more information about the conference, please call 610-931-2615 or 267-257-7742 (Español) or email [email protected].