Activists support Black radical for Congress

Larry Holmes, left, presents Charles Barron.

The International Action Center hosted a “Charles Barron for Congress” rally and fundraiser at its new office in Manhattan July 25. Barron, an African-American, is a New York City Council member from Brook lyn who is radical and outspoken on many domestic and international issues. He is seeking election on Sept. 12 in order to represent the 10th Congressional district.

Barron has a powerful mass base among Black voters in Brooklyn. One hope of his campaign is to reach out to broader sectors of the population for funding as well as political and organizational support. The IAC established “antiwar4Barron” to build anti-racist solidarity with the former Black Panther.

Larry Holmes, an IAC co-director, introduced Barron and told the audience, “Barron is a movement candidate. His views are global. He is not just against the war in Iraq but he is against all wars. Barron has no problem standing with the Palestinian people or supporting the Cuban revolution or Venezuela’s right to control its oil. With the antiwar4Barron component, we have the rare opportunity to help put one of our own in Congress.”

Barron announced that he plans to host Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez at City Hall in September during the opening of the UN General Assembly. He stated that “electoral politics are important because of what the people can extract from it,” like having a say in how the $58 billion city budget is spent. He went on to talk about his campaign program, which includes: “Bring the troops home now; Free Palestine; the people of New Orleans have the right to return, self-determination and the right to vote; free all political prisoners; reparations now and an end to police brutality.” He received a standing ovation when he ended his talk with these words: “America needs a revolution.” Go to www.barronforcongress.com for more information.

—Story and photo by Monica Moorehead