YDS in the United for Peace and Justice National Convention in Chicago 6/22-24

YDS participation in the United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) National Assembly is needed if our democratic socialist anti-war and pro-peace vision is ever to be realized.  That is why our presence in the UFPJ National Assembly so important.  The main purposes of the National Assembly are to set the overall political direction and priorities of UFPJ for the next 18 months and facilitate movement building.  YDS, as a member group, is allowed to send two national delegates.  YDS delegates shall work with National Youth and Student Peace Coalition allies to make sure the youth voice of our movement is heard loud and clear.

If you are interested in being a delegate check out UFPJ National Assembly and contact YDS at yds@dsausa.org.

The culmination of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' (CIW) "2007 McDonald's Truth Tour" and celebration in Chicago April 13-14^th demonstrated the moving solidarity that a social justice movement can achieve. The CIW, which represents the interests of primarily migrant tomato pickers in Florida, reached an agreement with McDonald's for a wage increase of one cent per pound of tomato for its workers (this should raise farm workers pay by more than ten dollars per day). As farm workers still are not covered by the National Labor Relations Act, their ability to gain collective bargaining rights in most states is severely limited. Thus, the CIW had to achieve this victory by organizing and building a national coalition of community, religious, and union activists that threatened McDonald's with a national boycott if the corporation did not treat their tomato pickers with justice.

The gathering in Chicago reflected the diversity of American social justice movements. The crowd of nearly one thousand included African-African human rights workers from Mississippi, IWW activists from Detroit, Presbyterians church activists from of Louisville, trade unionists from the AFL-CIO and Change to Win unions, and sourcs of Latino activists representing various organizations. The ability of Floridian migrant workers to work with such diverse allies and achieve their demands provides a striking example for today's labor movement of the power of community-based coalition organizing.

Even as neo-liberal economics still remains the consensus in Washington, these workers were able win economic gains despite their being denied the legal right for a union and bargain collectively. Many of the tomato pickers are also undocumented workers who risk the retribution of deportation if they stand up for their rights. But by building a powerful coalition both within and without the labor movement, the CIW workers gained an impressive victory while also protecting themselves from corporate retribution. Democratic socialists understand that only by building a broad coalition that goes beyond organized labor's own ranks can pro-union forces defeat a virulently anti-union corporate America. By engaging in union support work with a broad range of community supporters, YDS can educate the broader public as to the central role trade unions have played around the world in limiting the injustices of corporate power. Through the solidarity, and social diversity of coalitions similar to the CIW progressive activists can demonstrate that through democratic collective action even the most powerful of corporations can be brought to the bargaining table.

The battle for justice for the Immokalee workers is far from over. Lucas Benitez of the CIW urged rally participants to re-energize ourselves for further struggle on behalf of these embattled tomato pickers. As the CIW turns its focus from McDonald's to Burger King, Benitez reminded us that this is a long term struggle. It took four years for CIW to win the Taco Bell campaign. A swifter victory came against McDonald's and the coalition remains confident that Burger King can be brought to justice. But, there are many more fast-food chains that continue to demand that their suppliers follow unfair labor practices. Members of the Democratic Socialists of America and Young Democratic Socialists remain ready to meet this challenge.

In addition to the YDS members who traveled to the Chicago rally from across the country, several prominent DSA spoke from the podium. On Friday, DSA Honorary Chair Delores Huerta addressed about the need to build unity and stop the deportations that mercilessly divide immigrant families. At the House of Blues on Saturday, AFL-CIO President and DSA member John Sweeney made a surprise appearance followed by SEIU Executive Vice-President and DSA Honorary Chair Eliseo Medina. They spoke of the pride we should take in over victory and what we can learn from the work of the Immokalee tomato pickers. 

Eliseo Medina reflected on DSA's long term commitment to the struggle for farm worker rights in is his keynote address to the 2001 DSA National convention. He reminded convention delegates that "…it was the DSA chapter that adopted me in Chicago, that got us food, found me a place to live…And so I want to thank you, 35 years later, for what you did for me and for what you did for farm workers, because, I think, thanks to that help, we were successful, and we did stop the sale of grapes, and we did build a farm workers union." Decades later, a revived YDS continues this socialist tradition with our National Immigrant Rights Project and our mobilization for events such as the "CIW 2007 Truth Tour." Si se puede!

YDS members and others at House of Blues.  Photos by J.J Tiziou

    When the 4th anniversary of the Iraq War arrived, the Young Democratic Socialists increased the visibility of our peace work.  As YDS and the majority of the American public want a quick end to this war, the Bush Administration promotes troop surges and mistreats wounded veterans.  While far from perfect, the new Congress appears to be taking steps towards ending the conflict, despite the administration’s unrepentant militarism.   One of the main reasons for this political change is the great work of activists and coalitions who understand the need to pressure elected officials in order to end the war.  The National Youth and Student Peace Coalition (NYSPC), of which YDS is a proud member, is one of these coalitions. As part of our work with the NYSPC, YDS members, chapters, and allies participated in 4th anniversary peace actions with the theme “Books not Bombs.”
    Two YDS chapters in particular used both protest and politics to advance the peace movement.  The YDS chapter at New Meadows High School in Las Vegas held an in-school rally to educate about the anti-war movement.  They brought an honorably discharged member of the military to speak about the faults of the war and the needs for a grassroots anti-war movement.  After the speaker, the YDS branch members organized the student body to sign a 3’ by 4’ poster-petition symbolizing their opposition to the Iraq War and the desire for the new Congressional leadership to take stronger actions toward ending the conflict.  The poster was then mailed off to their Senator and the Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office.  Michigan State University YDS, wearing their NYSPC “Books not Bombs” buttons, joined with hundreds to march down Grand River/Michigan Avenue to the office of House Rep. Mike Rogers.  They then joined 400 protestors in the median on Grand River for the peak of the protest.  
    Other groups participated in different ways.  New York YDS joined with our NYSPC coalition partners and marched together at the United for Peace and Justice Rally on March 18th.  University of Central Arkansas YDS participated in the national Tent State University campaign, with the theme “Education not Bombs,” and plans to stage a “die-in” for the future.  The California State University at Sacramento’s Campus Progressive Alliance (which includes several YDS members) tabled from March 12-16 to promote awareness about anti-war activities.  Their table included information on the billions of dollars that have been dumped into the war machine, the reasons why the military really wants people to join, careers in peacemaking and social change, and of Sacramento peace actions occurring in the next two weeks.  Around 30 students picked up “Books not Bombs” buttons at their table.  On the day of action, the group not only wore their “Books not Bombs” buttons but set-up a “Walk in their Shoes” display to bring awareness to the real costs of war: human lives. The display of 85-100 different shoes representing the thousands of innocent Iraqis killed went all day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the library quad.
    Reflecting on the meaning of “Books not Bombs” theme, CSU student Mallory Fites said “it’s simple and expresses what we, as students really want, which is the money in this country to go towards our education, not war. Instead of destroying future generations around the world, we believe the administration should be investing that money into educating its youth for the future.”  Purdue student John Slavin echoed her sentiments, exclaiming: “I believe it is a very positive message that the powers that be need to recognize that the domestic issues are vastly more important than the ‘defensive’ measures of weaponry.”  He concluded that he and his club, the Purdue Alliance of Libertarian Socialists, will wear the “Books not Bombs” buttons “at the next anti-war demos and whenever we do any relating action.”

 

"Justice Beyond Borders: Democracy and Socialism in the 21st Century" was a resounding success in many ways.  This gathering, which brought over 200 young people from around the country together, was hosted over President's Day weekend by the Young Democratic Socialists in New York City at the Bayard Rustin High School.  (This number doesn't include the hundreds who came out just for plenary talks alone.)  The weekend showcased high-profile speakers such as Noam Chomsky and Barbara Ehrenreich, alongwith intellectual and journalistic heavyweights such as Gayatri Spivak, Liza Featherstone, and Christian Parenti.  The "Justice Beyond Borders" theme was evident in the opening photographic art show, several workshops, and a closing plenary (featuring national labor leader and DSA Honorary Vice-Chair Jose LaLuz) that all focused on the national movement for full immigrant rights.  Young Democratic Socialists members, chapters, and allies now look forward to a spring of organizing for social and economic justice.  In addition to the Immigrant Rights Project, YDS will also coordinate work with other organizations to empower the labor and peace movement.  Together, we can create the change that we desire.

Photos coming soon!

We initiate the efforts of the Young Democratic Socialists Cultural Commission with the exhibition, Justice Without Borders.  The purpose of the commission is to create art and cultural activities that actualize a democratic socialist society.

Artist Statement

As you read the interviews in this exhibition I would like you to keep a few things in mind. We have entered a new stage in our society wherein developed nations use a new type of slaves.  In modern political semantics we refer to these people as 'Illegal Immigrants.' The reality is that these people live choices they are forced to make due to the political and economic devastation they would otherwise face in their country. No one lives as a refugee out of choice! The circumstances devastating their countries need to be actively engaged as well as the issue of refugee immigration. A sustainable solution to end the problem and not just its symptom is what we all ask for. I hope you feel inspired to engage the issue and use our freedom and liberty to make change on behalf of our fellow workers. We owe it to our future to end the exploitation of humans.

Daniel Mendez
Photographer

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Jorge, Mexico 

We are thankful to this country for opening their arms. They have taken us in and have given us hope. Our country is trying to progress but there isn't any opportunity. I mean you can go out and try to find a job and find somewhere to work but this doesn't mean your family is going to be fed. I admire what you are doing…we need to educate people on what is really happening. They need to know the truth about what is going on in this world. There is acertain priesthood in journalism…to inform and give people the real answers. Not just to give the news on one side but both sides! Otherwise we see people being misrepresented and turned into targets. There is a need for balance. But if you ask me we are grateful to be in this country.

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Martin, Mexico

I have been living here for two years and have worked tirelessly to sustain myself and my family…just look at my hands. They are bleeding! I have worked in construction ever since I came here and now I own a taco stand. My dream is to be able to open up a store in the mall and be able to provide for my family without so many worries. You see we come here to work and to be successful…to give and make jobs not take them. Let me tell you onthing…there wouldn't be any immigration if there weren't any jobs.

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Marleu, Lebanon

I came to this country twenty years ago.. and  I want you to understand that Lebanon is a very different place from what people think. We are very western and sophisticated. Everyone speaks at least two or three languages.  I speak Armenian, Arabic, English, French, and some Spanish. We have no oil so our country relies much on commercialization. The United States government and its people need to understand why it is that immigrants go through so much trouble to be here.  If it wasn't for war and the situation in Lebanon many wouldn't leave. In regards to immigration the United States should help its neighbor Mexico in coming to a solution. Either promoting the Mexican economy or allowing Mexicans to come and work legally and fairly. Because you see you have to take care of your neighbors first, they are the ones living right next to you. Don't let immigrants leave, yes they must show respect and be a positive addition to this country but this country needs immigrants. We need a balance…strengthen borders and allow immigrants that are here to work and stay.

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Issam Diek, Israel

We need to establish sustainable peace. War is damaging our society and our environment. The impacand power of our weapons today has increased so much from what it used to be. A grenade is more powerful, guns are more powerful, explosives and their force are more powerful. Our world is changing and people need to know what is really going on to be aware of these changes. If not then people will become the casualty.

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Anonymous, Chile

I came to this country hoping to be safe. We see America as a place for hope. In my country we see this place as a place where we can work hard and be able to survive. That is all me and my husband do, we survive. We try to be happy and see good times and be hopeful, but it is a lot to do just so we can have food and a place to live. I am not uneducated, I know business and I know how to make a living. We come to this country and we have to start all over again…learn a new language, a new culture, a new society and we don't have much room to make any mistakes or we are taken out of this country. We are just living and all we can do is wait and hope for things to get better. If we get rights we would be so thankful to this country…we would work twice as hard. And willingly because all you can do is be thankful. But for now this is the reality…and the reality is that we have to try to stay alive.

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Anonymous, Mexico

Joven (young man)…you ask me what I'm doing and I have to tell you…every day me, my wife, and my daughter come to set up this stand. I can't read English so I don't even know what this pamphlet says. All I know is this is work and I stay here until the boss says I can go. We need the money and for now this is helping. If we could we would try to do something more productive…but what can you do when your hands are tied? You deal with it day by day and hope that the next day there will be enough to live on.

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Ilda, Mexico

We need the politicians and citizens in this country to try to focus on those of us who are humble and hard working. We come here and we have to learn new customs and a new culture. The leaders of this country should focus on the good things we do and focus on our hearts, we are human. Focus on the person and if they are going to be deported then look at the individual case, consider us human and children of God. Yes there are some immigrants that come to this country and do bad things but its not fair if we all have to pay for it. Mexico is a rich country but the government has impoverished the country and not just economically but culturally as well. There are no opportunities and people have no future. If Americans lived our lives they would do the same. They would flee the country to protect their future and more importantly the future of their children. Our children are the reason we put ourselves through so much. So they can grow up with education and a future. So they don't have to worry about going hungry or being homeless at such a young age. But we understand why most Americans think the way they do and if we had the same information they have we would think the same things.

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Brenda, Mexico

We are living in such a degraded culture. Everything is for sale, women are for sale. They forget about the delicate nature of things. As a woman I come to this country and I am made to feel like a prostitute. This is reality, listen to me, this is what happens when you create inequality and you push people to make those types of decisions out of disparity. But here I am trying to make an honest living working at 7-11. We as immigrants are taken advantage of because of our situation. Yes we are willing to work hard and it takes a lot of work just to stay alive. But when can I be able to go to school and make a future for myself if all I worry about is having enough to live?

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Moises, Mexico

Terrorism has already been happening in this country internally. We are singled out and marked like the Jews during World War Two. I come to this country and I am honestly shocked at how uninformed the people here are. I turn to watch the news and people are misled. But things cannot be put in the dark forever and things have to come out. At one point people are going to be hit with the reality and realize that they are not immune to what happens in the rest of the world. If these wars that are hurting the rest of the world spread then they will become the targets too. If you want to be safe then encourage peace not war. They need to educate the young generation. Instead of giving them guns and making them join a war when they're not even old enough to drink alcohol but still old enough to kill another human. They are putting up a wall to divide our countries, but is that really going to make you safe when you separate yourself from the rest of the world? Just like the Berlin wall, one day it will have to come down when people realize that we can't be divided between those who have freedom and those who have almost none.

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Brenda, Mexico

In this country they view themselves as Americans but I was born in America too. When I grew up we were taught that there were five continents and when I came here I'm now told that there are six. And I ask myself where is this sixth continent? Why do people insist on separation? I am from America and the US needs to realize that it shares this continent with the rest of us. Internally we are destroying each other and if it continues this country will destroy itself with so much division. But don't get me wrong there are great citizens in this country and the people don't have the fault. All of this is a symptom and it comes from the lack of education about what is really going on in this world.

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Angela, Colombia

I appreciate being in this country. It has been my refuge. This country has been moved by the hand of God for a purpose. We all acknowledge that this country has a purpose. Colombia is a beautiful country but there is war and the people are stuck in the middle of all this politics. Its convenient for there to be war and that way the people making money off of it can stay in their positions of power and control. We have too much division and until people realize that we should unite then we are going to compromise our chance for progress. The Guerilla has taken control of so much of the country and people are defenseless. One can only hope that the government will do something. But this war has been going on for too many years and the corruption is internal. I lived all my life hearing about kidnappings like as if they were normal. And can you tell me how it feels when all you do is ask yourself ‘when are they going to take me?’ Or ‘who in my family is going to disappear?’ You just can't live like that.

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Anonymous, Venezuela

Sentiment has been seeded in this society against us. We suffer from this social trauma which has enslaved us. This country has created a new order which sets humanity at different levels of importance. The people that are blessed to have a good life forget about those of us that are striving just to stay alive. This society needs to wake up! Or by the time they realize what is going on in this world it might be too late. There is too much emphasis on the economic issues and everyone forgets the human aspect. In Venezuela if you are walking down the street and someone wants to steal your watch they will just cut your hand off. And because that is the reality you live there I am grateful to be here. I want to contribute to this country because I have no future in mine.

— 

John, Portugal

People here need to realize that the social and economic circumstances that have forced us to leave our country are not our fault. There is a bigger picture they need to keep in mind. What if the US was unstable and no one could guarantee you a future? Would everyone still stay? They need to focus on the good things that we provide. And if there are any bad aspects to us being here then why are we working so hard? Even then if they still see us as a burden we are willing to work even harder. Our parents fear for us. This situation makes me want to cry out for help. But even if I did who is going to help? All I would ask for is the simple right to work and study, that's all.

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Laura, Mexico

I would like it if there weren't any borders and there was more liberty, or at least that the division between our countries wasn't so big. Yes you should keep your identity but you should also be able to understand another society's identity as well. We work hard to show that we have potential and prove that we are here to be a positive addition to this country. I wish that there wasn't any racism. The humiliation we go through is enough to make you want to kill yourself. We are put at the lowest levels of this society as if we are less human. We don't deserve this. We need to be united because unity makes strength.

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Ulrike, Germany

I was surprised with the news here in the US. Things tend to be so exaggerated and people seem to be moved by fear. You wouldn't see that in Germany no one in Europe would do that. I think the US should change a few of its own policies and be more social. The social system is what I grew up with and to me that is what works. There is a great difference when you see how in Germany people work to live and here people live to work. I need something to look forward to, that makes me more efficient in my job. In the end unity in Europe with the EU has made us stronger. And have all kept our own national identity which is important. I'm glad that Germany was able to be reunited after the wall came down. We were able to leave the country and go to other places. The older generation felt betrayed by the former Soviet Union. They couldn't go out of the country and study as I do. We must accept that we live in a world society and we need to integrate our different cultures and nationalities.

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Kofi Djagba, Togo

People talk about safety but safety will never happen until you touch every base of society. The more we integrate everyone in the society the safer we are. We've been very naive in this country. We should anticipate a danger before it happens. Here we wait for something to happen to take action. You have to understand the importance of protecting your assets, your country is your biggest asset.

This country is a great country, there is a lot to learn and great opportunities. I love this country for its freedom of speech. We are taxpayers and we want to be a part of this society. Just because English is not our first language doesn't mean we don't have a voice. Culture has been divided by what you call a border. But we must break these cultural and social borders first and allow for unity. In this country we live to work but in Europe people work less to make more money and are able to make good lives. So here we have forgotten to pay attention to the social side of things. We have to pay attention or we are heading to the wrong path. We have to think like human beings.

Togo was a very peaceful country before the 1990's until democracy came. Democracy came too early for us and the country wasn't prepared for it. We need to understand that things have to progress in their own time and not all countries are yet ready for democracy and it will take time. The United States went through the same steps. We have to structure the society to be able to accept and integrate those changes. Africa is a rich country and we have many resources. Instead of countries giving money to Africa they should show people how to be self sufficient. Teach them how to take care of themselves and manage their resources. Then that is how you become independent. Africa should be in the hands of the Africans. I always believe that in the future we will come together and will speak the same language…the language of caring for each other. 

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Marco, Ecuador

I've been forced out of my country. The economic problems in Ecuador has left so many of us poor. Our people have been turned into refugees. It is a good country and relatively peaceful, but the use of the American Dollar has hurt the economy and the society. God save us! I have gone through too much suffering in my life.

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