Wednesday, June 21, 2017

We received the following from Chicago organizers for refusefascism.org--

Emergency Organizing Meeting:
Prevent the Trump/Pence Regime from Taking Power
Stop It Before It Starts!
Monday at 7 PM - 10 PM
Trinity Episcopal Church
125 E 26th St, Chicago, Illinois 60616

Exciting news: Starting at 6 pm, we will watch the live stream from New York City's launch event, with Carl Dix, Immortal Technique, PZ Myers, Jeremy Scahill, and Chase Iron Eyes, before kicking off our launch here in Chicago. Come early if you can!

We'll start with a brief presentation of the Call from RefuseFascism.org (full text below) with speakers from various perspectives/communities speaking on WHY "In the Name of Humanity, We REFUSE To Accept a Fascist America!" followed by working groups -- YOU are needed!

"Donald Trump, the President-elect, is assembling a regime of grave danger. Millions of people in the US and around the world are filled with deep anxiety, fear, and disgust. Our anguish is right and just. Our anger must now become massive resistance -- before Donald Trump is inaugurated and has the full reins of power in his hands."
"Should we fail to rise with determination and daring in our millions now to stop this, the consequences for humanity will be disastrous.... "
"We therefore CALL FOR A MONTH OF RESISTANCE beginning on December 19, reaching a crescendo by the January 20, 2017 Inauguration."
Come, get into:
* Why we must REFUSE to accept a fascist America
* How Trump/Pence could be prevented from taking power
* How YOU can be a part of making this happen
Go to www.refusefascism.org for initiators, signatories, for more information and to sign on. Follow @refusefascism on twitter
The Call for a Month of Resistance:
Donald Trump, the President-elect, is assembling a regime of grave danger. Millions of people in the US and around the world are filled with deep anxiety, fear, and disgust. Our anguish is right and just. Our anger must now become
massive resistance -- before Donald Trump is inaugurated and has the full reins of power in his hands.
Should we fail to rise with determination and daring in our millions now to stop this, the consequences for humanity will be disastrous. We, the undersigned, know in the depths of our beings, the catastrophe that will befall the people of the world should the Trump/Pence regime assume full power.


We therefore CALL FOR A MONTH OF RESISTANCE beginning on December 19th, reaching a crescendo by the January 20th 2017 Inauguration.
Our resistance must spread rapidly to every sphere and every corner of the country. Because we refuse to accept a fascist America, millions must rise up in a resistance with a deep determination such that we create a political crisis that prevents the Trump/Pence fascist regime from consolidating its hold on the governance of society.

The Presidency of Donald Trump Is Illegitimate.
Donald Trump did not win the popular vote. Not even close, he lost by 2.5 million votes. He won the Electoral College -- an institution set up in 1787 to protect slavery. This legacy of the most brutal oppression of Black people has become the means that enabled the election of Trump and Pence.
More fundamentally, it is the fascist character of the Trump/Pence regime and what they are planning to do which renders it illegitimate and an immoral peril to the future of humanity and the earth itself.

Under the slogan "Make America Great Again," Donald Trump has viciously attacked Mexicans and Muslims, threatening to register and deport millions, closing borders. He incites fear and hate of all who are "different" -- nationalities, religions, or gender. He crudely demeans and degrades women, openly boasting about molesting them. He champions white supremacy and whips up a racist lynch-mob mentality. Trump has mocked the disabled. He is a bellicose militarist, who threatens to use nuclear weapons. He openly advocates war crimes -- including torture. He vows to pack the Supreme Court with justices who will take away the right to abortion and gay rights. He denies science -- calling climate change a hoax and will wreak devastation on the environment. He has attacked and threatened the press and stirred up his supporters to do the same. He has threatened to strip citizenship for constitutionally protected dissent. Trump has utter contempt for facts and the truth, and consistently lies to advance his agenda. As for the rule of law, Trump went so far as to openly threaten his opponent, Hillary Clinton, not only with jail, but even assassination. By any definition, Donald Trump is a fascist. He has put together a regime that will carry out this program, and worse.

This is fascism and it is a very serious thing. It has direction and momentum that must be stopped before it becomes too late.

Fascism foments and relies on xenophobic nationalism, racism, misogyny, and the aggressive re-institution of oppressive "traditional values." Fascism feeds on and encourages the threat and use of violence to build a movement and come to power. Fascism, once in power, essentially eliminates traditional democratic rights. Fascism attacks, jails, even executes its opponents, and launches violent mob attacks on "minorities." In Nazi Germany in the 1930s and '40s, fascism did all these things. This is where this can go. And yes, Hitler himself could "talk graciously" when he felt it would serve his interests and lull his opponents.

In the world today, shockwaves reverberate. Over decades in the U.S. virulent movements of white supremacy and anti-immigrant hysteria have gained momentum. A narrow, intolerant, and political form of Christian fundamentalism has been brought into government and policy at all levels. The Trump/Pence cabinet and judiciary will coalesce all of this and worse at the highest level of power, with horrific consequences.

No election, whether fair or fraudulent, should legitimize this. "Reaching across the aisle" only legitimizes that which is illegitimate.

If you work with fascists you normalize the road to horror. You cannot try to "wait things out." Those who lived through Nazi Germany and sat on the sidelines, looking on as Hitler demonized, criminalized, and eventually rounded up one group after another, became shameful collaborators with monstrous crimes.

Don't Conciliate... Don't Accommodate... Don't Collaborate!

The Trump Regime Must and Can Be Stopped Before It Starts!
This is not wishful thinking but could be made a reality if all who hate what is represented by this fascist regime translate our outrage into massive mobilization to create the political conditions which make this possible. We are millions. Our only recourse now is to act together outside normal channels. Every faction within the established power structure must be forced to respond to what we do -- creating a situation where the Trump/Pence regime is prevented from ruling.

We call on each and every one who opposes what this regime stands for, and what it will do, to take part in and actively build, this resistance and refusal. Organize. Plan. Act.

The Month of Resistance
Starting 12/19/16, it begins -- the day the Electoral College meets to vote in each state: hold a press conference or a protest. Starting now, distribute this Call everywhere and on social media, host house meetings, fundraising events concerts and forums. Everywhere step up the resistance: walkouts from schools and work, protests against attacks and threats on Muslims, women, people of color, LBGT people -- all linked to the objective of Stopping the Trump/Pence regime. The struggle must grow.
On MLK weekend, there needs to be massive demonstrations of many thousands in key cities, including Washington. D.C., that grow to millions over the next week, protests that don't stop . . . where people refuse to leave and more and more people stand up with conviction and courage demanding:
NO! We Refuse to Accept a Fascist America!

#NoFascistUSA                            @RefuseFascism
Initiators include (list in formation):
Bill Ayers
Herb Boyd
Isabel Cardenas
Carl Dix
Niles Eldredge
Charles Gaines
Chase Iron Eyes
Everett Iron Eyes Sr.
Robin D. G. Kelley
PZ Myers
Milton Saier
Sunsara Taylor
Cornel West
Michael A. Wood Jr.
Rev. Frank Wulf
Andy Zee
David Zeiger

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Revolution Summer! Chicago is about getting youth into a revolution to emancipate humanity and out of shooting each other

Many people agonize about the situation in Chicago and candidly speak about the fact that well-intended programs have been unable to make a dent in it. At the same time, some say they aren't ready to go to revolution as the solution, while acknowledging they aren't sure what is the answer.

Even if you have questions and reservations, you need to make a commitment to actually come to the fund-raiser on Sunday June 25th.

WHY?
  1. Because it matters if you come, interact and learn about this project directly from Carl Dix (representative of the Revolutionary Communist Party), the volunteers and the Revolution Club about their approach and experiences on the front lines.
  2. Because it matters for the Revolution Summer! folks to meet you and know that there are progressive people who from their own varied perspectives "have their backs" and are supportive even as they learn more about it. Financial donations are essential and much needed, but also meeting the range of donors opens up possibilities, builds bridges and community.
  3. Because it matters that we maximize the success of this fund-raiser in both funds raised and alliances forged so it becomes a launching pad to go from raising $20,000 so far to $50,000 in the near future. Bring a friend. There will be a short program but also time to mingle and talk informally. Revolution Summer! folks want to hear your concerns and questions.
  4. Because it matters most of all what happens in Chicago this summer-- if it becomes known for youth getting into revolution, this will have a very positive impact on the larger society in lifting the ceiling for possibilities for a radically better world.

See you there! Buy tickets on line

Driving Directions: Take the Austin exit from 290, go north 1 block to Harrison. Go left (west) on Harrison a couple of blocks to 128 Harrison. The venue has M.S.S. on the window and 1017 on the door. You can park on the street or in the church parking lot across the street for no fee.


Monday, June 12, 2017

You are Invited to a FUNDRAISER for Revolution Summer!
Sunday, June 25, 2017, 7:00-9:30 pm
Studio at 128 W Harrison St.,
Oak Park art district

Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at door, $5 unemployed/student
RSVP: (312) 804-9121 or RevSummerFund@gmail.com

(tickets available online soon; see below for driving directions)
Today, Chicago is most famous for one thing: young Black and Latino people shooting each other. Imagine what it would mean for Chicago to become known as the place where youth caught up in the 'street life' break with it and become revolutionaries. This is what Revolution Summer! is all about.

Meet Carl Dix (representative of the Revolutionary Communist Party), volunteers from around the country, and the Revolution Club. Ask your questions, engage with them about their relentless battles with youth to take up different morals and values. These bold fighters need our support, especially now financially. They've set up an organizing center in South Shore; one is planned for the West Side, crucial steps in carrying out their mission to win youth to stop the insanity and get into the revolution. There's rent to pay, food to buy, materials to print, cell phone monthly bills, etc., etc. Please donate generously. Share this email with friends and family and ask them to come with you to the June 25th fundraising event.

Revolution Summer! is taking place in a context where Trump, the American Hitler, threatens to "send in the feds" to Chicago -- intensifying the police state that already brutalizes and murders youth and enforces the conditions that give birth to gang violence. Local columnists encourage walling off neighborhoods like Englewood and sending in the national guard. Trump's education secretary, DeVos, aims to gut the public schools even harder spreading Christian fundamentalist schools that will turn Black and Latino children into unthinking robots. All this will be the spear point of a whole fascist offensive against people of color, an intensifying genocide.

In the face of this, answering a call for volunteers, people joined with the Revolutionary Communist Party for a plan to radically turn this around. In short, to make Chicago famous for something else: a city where the youth who are being targeted get organized to overthrow the system that targets them.

This means mobilizing youth and others against the oppression coming down but even more, right now, it means struggling with what these youth are caught up in, with how they are seeing the world and their role in that world. The Revolution Club opened an organizing center in South Shore with plans to do the same on the west side of Chicago. Shortly after the center opened, 7 people were killed in 24 hours in this neighborhood--which Carl Dix spoke to in his statement, "Get Out of This Insanity and Get Into the Revolution." This gives a sense of what urgently cries out to be done-and that this club is there on the front lines, fighting to do it. Read more detailed account of organizing efforts here and the Revolution Club's new declaration here.

Driving Directions: Take the Austin exit from 290, go north 1 block to Harrison. Go left (west) on Harrison a couple of blocks to 128 Harrison. The venue has M.S.S. on the window and 1017 on the door. You can park on the street or in the church parking lot across the street for no fee.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Visit Revolution Books 
at the 39th annual 
Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Festival!
Saturday & Sunday, June 10 & 11, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
East side of Dearborn, halfway between Harrison & Polk
Look for us at booths 229 & 231
Featuring 3 Urgently Relevant Works

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