Vol. 64/No.18 May 8, 2000

YS hosts educational weekend in Alabama

(YS around the world)

BY WILL DONALDSON

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama—The chapter of the Young Socialists here coordinated an April 8-9 educational weekend for youth interested in socialism. Activities included three classes, a forum by Socialist Workers Party leader James Harris, a social, and a cookout to end the weekend. The YS chapter also had the opportunity to give a boost to the national fund drive.

Classes were given on a variety of topics, including the origins of women's oppression, the Cuban revolution, and on imperialism--the highest stage of capitalism. All the classes were led by members of the Young Socialists and Socialist Workers Party. Participants found the weekend to be of help to them in learning about the communist movement.

Kristen Shelby, a high school student who joined the Young Socialists during the educational conference, said she liked the class on women's liberation because "it made me think about why our society is dominated by males and how under capitalism women cannot be fully liberated until there is a revolution--the overthrow of capitalism. This system exploits women."

Saturday evening James Harris spoke about his recent trip to Cuba along with six farmers from the United States who are fighting to keep their land. Harris's remarks were both colorful and extremely informative as he explained how farmers cannot lose their land in the socialist country.

He also noted the importance of helping to organize meetings that will give the farmers who went on the trip the opportunity to speak about their experiences at local college campuses and with other farmers in the area. Many felt that this forum was the highlight of the weekend.

Overall, this event was a great benefit to everyone who participated. It helped YS members get a chance to talk to young people about politics, raise funds for the YS, and learn more about the socialist movement. The weekend had a big impact on Shelby, who explained why she decided to join the YS: "I agree with the politics. In order to have a revolution I want to be involved in an organization. Young people need a way to organize themselves. They shouldn't be misled."

Ricardo Zuniga, a textile worker, contributed to this article.

Youth in Michigan protest cop brutality

BY JAY PARADISO KALAMAZOO, Michigan—At least 100 young people and workers and their families demonstrated here April 8 against recent police harassment and brutality. March organizers announced that this was the first demonstration against cop brutality in the history of this city, which has a population of 85,000.

Protest signs and chants focused on the jailing of more than 25 people, predominantly Blacks. Speakers at the rally said they had been held naked in police custody and not given food or water. The main speaker, Beril Wilson, spoke about his eight-hour jailing by the Kalamazoo police. "It's a shame, but my experience is not unique," he said, "it's time for a change in this community."

Several students came from surrounding campuses and high schools, including Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and Coloma High School. One high school student, Joe Burke from the town of Paw Paw, came to the demonstration after seeing a flier at Kalamazoo Community College. "It's the first demonstration that I've ever been to," he said. Burke and a friend each bought a Militant plus a Young Socialists pamphlet, and are looking forward to going to future actions.

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