Join the rally this Saturday in support of Chavis Carter's family:

http://www.tsdmemphis.com/index.php/greater-metro/8377-prayer-vigil-monday-for-teen-shot-while-handcuffed

" On July 9, 2012 tenants and supports held a rally to demand action from the landlord as well as from the City of New York. Tenants met with local assemblyman Felix Ortiz to demand that city and state agencies take action against their landlord and to respond immediately to the unsafe living conditions in their buildings."
http://socialistwebzine.blogspot.com/2012/07/brooklyn-tenants-strike-against.html

          
 A Different Shade of Red

    Political activists look at Memphis’ past to organize for the future of radical social change in the south.

   Television on-air commentary pundits like sports commentators often simplify politics into two opposing teams like the LA Lakers Vs. Boston Celtics, or in the political sense Red States vs. Blue States. While few would argue that by most accounts Tennessee is a “Red state”, others who want a different type of red state here in the Mid -South are making it known that the volunteer state and the south has a rich radical tradition of its own.

This year the National Organizing Conference of the Socialist Party U.S.A. will take place in Memphis, TN. this Saturday July 28th and Sunday July 29th at the Martin Luther King Jr. Labor Center at 485 Beale St.  Socialist activists of all stripes from across the country will come together to network, hold workshops, and share advice on how to continue the work for positive social change in our city, our country and our world.

Conventional wisdom would suspect that such a gathering would be held in traditional bastions of radical thought on the east and west coasts. That same conventional wisdom also supposes that the south is a conservative and evangelical block and a waste of time for those seeking Democratic Socialism. Party members locally and nationally say that  is exactly  the reason why they are coming here.

“The South is ground-zero. We have the highest concentrations of poverty, private prisons, unemployment and “food deserts”--largely vestiges of a culture and economy based on slavery. As Memphians we are tired of being of at top of to many of the wrong lists.  We want to continue the Memphis radical tradition of being a catalyzing force behind social movements. ” says Bennett Foster, Co-Chair of the Memphis Socialist Party.

That history includes Memphis’ rich and tragic legacy in the Civil Rights movement including the pivotal 1968 sanitation workers strike and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Two veteran activists from that time will each be on hand as plenary speakers at the conference.

Elmore Nickleberry is a sanitation worker, who participated in the historic 1968 strike and at the age of 85 still works for the same department today. Nickleberry who appeared in the documentary  “I Am a Man: From Memphis, a Lesson in Life”. is a charter member of  AFSCME local 1733. Sadly, last year the Memphis City Council and Mayor AC Wharton moved to cut pay, benefits and paved a way to managed competition-a road toward to privatization. This would erase many of the gains made by labor in Memphis during the Civil Rights Movement.

Coby Smith is a familiar name among community organizers and activists in Memphis. He helped to form the Black Organizing Project  -The Invaders, a militant black power group active before and after Martin Luther King’s assassination here in Memphis.They were entrenched within the black community, providing security escorts for sanitation workers fearing police harassment while leaving work. They also worked to feed poor school children while the national guard rolled in with tanks, placing the city under martial law. Coby and the Invaders were prime targets of the military and the FBI’s COINTELPRO because they were fighting for autonomy and equality for black people.

The event will also include an exclusive first look at a feature length documentary “The Invaders” with producer  J.B. Horrell. The film traces the history of this often misrepresented black power group, bringing its relevance to present day struggles in Memphis. This can be seen today as MPD’s Blue Crush and other “data based” policing strategies operate in a manner of an occupation force in low income communities of color. These communities, some of the poorest in the nation are also the targets of relentless efforts of racist gentrification, predatory lending and lingering and designed inequality in public education.

In contrast to the two major parties,each holding a posh and gala nominating convention, the Socialist Party U.S.A National Organizing Conference 2012 is focused on organizing, more specifically organizing in the South. The conference will host workshops on different facets of organizing, including Immigration Policy in the South, How to Organize a Local, GIS Mapping for Organizers, Memphis Art Brigade, and many many more.

National Organizing Conference of the Socialist Party U.S.A. TN.
Saturday July 28th and Sunday July 29th
Martin Luther King Jr. Labor Center -485 Beale St.
Please register at
http://socialistorganizing.org/registration.html

SP-NOC Plenary-With Elmore Nickleberry and Coby Smith
Saturday July 28th
2-4pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Labor Center -485 Beale St.

SP-USA Organizing Conference Plenary!

Socialists Invade Memphis!

Memphis is hosting the Socialist Party USA's Nation Organizing Conference (NOC) this year! The city will be teeming with comrades from around the country. Please join us for this radical event. The plenary speakers are two Memphis locals, long active in the struggle. Coby Smith, organizer during the Civil Rights Movement as a leader within the Black Organizing Project, the Invaders, and an activist to this day. Elmore Nickleberry is a sanitation worker who marched during the pivotal '68 strike, who still works for the sanitation department today. Some of the Workshops include - Immigration policy in the South, Memphis Art Brigade/ the blacklist, Emotional Healing for Activists, GIS mapping, Organizing a Local and more. Find all you need to know and register at www.socialistorganizing.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

May Day Actions, Cookout, and Show

This year many of our members are organizing MAY 1st actions with various groups such as the newly formed Bus Riders Union, H.O.P.E. - Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality, and Occupy Memphis. 

We'll be marching in solidarity with millions around the world, particularly immigrants, Black & Brown working class and poor, women and domestic workers, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, the elderly, and other oppressed groups on this historic holiday. ¡Ya basta!

The Take Back Our City May Day Action begins with a march at 2pm at Ida B. Wells Park (formerly known as Nathan Bedford Forrest Park) and we will march down Union Ave. to Main St. to Civic Center Plaza. At 3pm outside of City Hall, there will be a theatrical "People's City Council" where numerous social justice organizations and leftist groups will come together to collectively create a "People's Agenda." Afterwards, we will march into the City Council meeting and pull comment cards to deliver the people's demands. More information on the May Day Actions can be found here!

We figure after a long day of striking, marching, and protesting, we'll need to unwind. Come celebrate the end of International Workers Day with Memphis Socialist Party! Music and cookout starts at 8pm at the Buccaneer (1368 Monroe). All proceeds from this event help fund the Socialist Party USA National Organizing Conference hosted by the MSP in Memphis this summer! More info about the fundraiser can be found here!

Happy May Day from the Memphis Socialist Party!

Racism and Privilege Teach In

Occupy Memphis is still going strong! Caucuses meet periodically (often weekly) and are generally a place where marginalized groups of people can have their voices heard while eliciting direct action not only within Occupy, but throughout Memphis. The Diversity Caucus has organized a teach in on Privilege and Racism scheduled for Tuesday, November 29 7:00 P.M. at the AFCME Local 1733 building at 485 Beale St. Speakers will discuss white privilege, and racism in its structural, institutional, and interpersonal dimensions. They will also address the impact of the history of privilege and racism on our modern-day interactions and society. Following the speakers and a q-and-a, a panel will share their personal experiences of racism. Other Occupy Memphis caucuses include the African-American Caucus, Women's Caucus, Anti-Capitalist Caucus, Homelessness Caucus, and Atheist/Agnostic Caucus. For meeting times, please refer to occupymemphis.org

Occupy Memphis Anncounces Solidarity Rally

In solidarity with those violently evicted from the Occupy Wall Street encampment this morning, Occupy Memphis will hold a rally this evening (11/15) from 5pm-8pm at Civic Center Plaza. The following statement is taken from Occupy Memphis' website:

"In light of the overnight police raid on Occupy Wall Street, the 99% of Memphis is coming together today in solidarity to show support.

We, the Occupy Memphis General Assembly, are repulsed by the direct infringement on First Amendment rights granted to the American people by the Constitution. We are disgusted with the repressive tactics used by the New York City Police Department. Citizens were assaulted and arrested for practicing their rights. Journalists were blocked by police. Personal property valued at thousands of dollars has been destroyed.

Occupy Memphis will have a rally today at 5 p.m. in Civic Center Plaza to express our anger and disgust with these actions from law enforcement in an effort to stand in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. While the City of Memphis has stated publicly the right for protesters to assemble as long as they are peaceful, other cities are not as fortunate.

Following our rally at 6 p.m., we will march to the Civil Rights Museum as a tribute to preceding generations who have fought for our rights; the same rights which have been ignored. While we understand the need for peace and safety, it is unlawful to suppress the voice and assembly of citizens who strive for political and social change.

“We need to speak out for people who tried to be silenced,” said Becky Muehling, one of the protesters with Occupy Memphis. “We need to band together, so that we can show the people trying to suppress our free speech: we will fight.”

“We cannot sit idly by as the livelihood and culture of our country is being trashed,” said Tristan Tran, another occupier who watched the Occupy Wall Street raid live online.

If you believe that the First Amendment rights of freedom of assembly, press, and speech exist always and not just between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., stand with us.

If you feel that your voice as a citizen has been suppressed by the power of lobbyists and self-serving politicians, speak out with us.

We invite the communities and city of Memphis to occupy this public space; to voice the issues which affect us; and together create solutions for a better society.

We the people shall speak for ourselves."

23 Days In, Occupy Memphis Holds Its Ground

On October 15th, Occupy Memphis setup camp in Civic Center Plaza. Occupiers quickly organized a library, a kitchen, supply tents, and sleeping quarters. Members of Occupy Memphis have since organized caucuses to make the local movement more inclusive of diversity as well as committees to handle logistics, sanitation, legal, and other issues facing the local occupation. Occupy Memphis holds General Assembly meetings three times a week. To get involved, visit Occupy Memphis' website: http://occupymemphis.org

Support Striking Verizon Employees!

At midnight last night Verizon employees with the Communications Workers of America (CWA)and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)went on strike. The unions are in contract negotiations and at the 11th hour Verizon has refused to back off over 100 concessionary items. Find out more about the issues and how you can support the strike here.