BALTIMORE, MD, July 2—Members of Progressive Labor Party (PLP) came out to the street to protest the genocide in Gaza, the West Bank, Sudan, and Congo. We distributed dozens of CHALLENGEs and communist flyers with great response. We had our signature chants on hand: “From Palestine to Mexico, these racist borders got to go,” and “Arab, Jewish, Black and White, Workers of the World Unite!" 
Two Party friends who joined us distributed CHALLENGE, often coming back for more to distribute! One person who received a copy screamed “Free Palestine!” showing solidarity to the workers fighting overseas. The working class in Baltimore and worldwide needs communism and to lead that fight to put these genocidal bosses in the ground once and for all!

Rallying against genocide

We referred to our rally as “Balloon Theater,” which was inspired by our new comrade. We set up our “stage” on the sidewalk between Northeast Market and busy Monument Street, where workers at Johns Hopkins often pass by. We decorated the space with three large balloons painted with slogans “Fight for Communism,” “No to Genocide and Fascism,” and “Smash Capitalism and Imperialism.” 

We had to battle market security personnel, who threatened us with bogus rules. Standing firm, we refused to move and we won in the end!
Workers in Palestine have faced terror, torture, extermination and execution by occupying Zionists since the early days of the 20th century. Our goal was to link this history to the current catastrophes under capitalism worldwide and our urgent need to build an international communist movement in response. 

All bosses guilty of fascism

We held speeches exposing the imperialist U.S. government and their unwavering support for the Zionist state of Israel. Both Democrats and Republicans have a bloody role in the catastrophe, as war criminal Joe Biden’s administration gave about $18 billion and—so far—$4 billion by chief terrorist Trump. We highlighted the U.S. government’s imperialist wars in Sudan and Congo and their support of proxy nationalist factions to do the dirty work of torturing, displacing and murdering workers. 

Our struggles are all connected!

One comrade talked about the ongoing local West Wednesday events, which have been protesting the KKKops who murdered Tyrone West in cold blood 12 years ago. The member also recounted supporting a Black family facing racist attacks in their neighborhood in the early 1990s; a PLP-led collective chased away the racist skin heads, gaining respect from students. As these attack dogs-in-blue kill Black and Latin workers without remorse, their imperialist handlers are ordering the same against our working class brothers and sisters in the Middle East. As the ruling class continues losing its grip on workers, we see increasing fascism abroad and here, with the state attacking those who dare to question this modern-day Holocaust.

A friend to the Party also gave a speech that called out the U.S. and Israel for their treatment of workers in Palestine. We did not agree with the nationalist points made—regarding Iran having the right to defend itself. However, we appreciated their support in joining us. 
PLP is charging boldly to create an egalitarian communist society, where the ills of capitalism, racism, sexism, and exploitation are a thing of the past. Our enthusiasm and determination to continue this action will carry on. We set a date for our next Balloon Theater in August, with a plan to build our base in the community and to invite more friends and community members to participate in our next action on the streets. Since three of our comrades will attend the Boston summer project, the energy from the experience will hopefully strengthen our work once we return.