Boston, February 21 - The Progressive Labor Party (PLP) in the Boston area held a one-day school designed to help our members and base understand the roots of the rapidly growing crises in the U.S. and the world. From brutal racist ICE deportation raids to the U.S. invasion of Venezuela to soldiers deployed as cops in cities to the war in Ukraine, Iran, Sudan and Gaza, the world today is unstable and more dangerous than ever. In order to strengthen our commitment to fighting for communism, the only way to destroy capitalism and the misery it wrecks on the working class, we need a deeper understanding of Marxist political economy, imperialism, and the nature of fascism.

Discussing the U.S. situation

We had five short presentations about imperialism, developing fascism in the U.S., the economic basis of fascism, opposing fascism today and the role of social democrats, and building the party/base-building. After each one, we held workshops, carefully constituted with new people and veterans, to discuss the presentations. People learn best through discussion and connecting the ideas to their own experiences.

One important strength of the event were the new and younger Party members who gave political and organizational leadership. The final presentation on party building given by two active members who have only been in the Party for about a year was an inspiration to all, but especially the young friends we brought. Young people today, who are deeply skeptical of capitalism and horrified by the world it created, are looking for a community to be a part of. Social Media, with all its problems, has radicalized many youth who we can bring into our Party when we get to know them. This event helped to solidify and grow our Party.