top of page
Search
  • Writer's pictureEmerson Bannon

A nationwide People's Coalition

In the resolutions I have just submitted to the YDSA, I have called for a broad coalition of leftist groups to pool resources and help build the mass movement that we require. The DSA is itself a kind of coalition, but I think inter-organizational alliances can help expand the socialist base and increase our ability to perform effective action. It is what Fred Hampton built with his Rainbow Coalition, what Bernie Sanders built around his presidential campaign, and what MLK envisioned with the Poor People's Campaign. A multiracial working-class coalition, working together for shared social and economic justice.


The DSA has been asked why it hasn't set up its own bail fund, why it doesn't field more candidates, why it doesn't organize with labor more, etc. This could solve many such problems, by allowing it to assist and learn from more experienced organizations in many areas so it does not have to put in the time and resources of teaching itself how to do everything in-house. It would give DSA members an instant connection with members and projects of other socialist organizations. So ultimately, with the inevitable "nice resolution, we don't have the resources to do it", I would argue it would REDUCE our workload an strain on resources. Likewise with other groups, where they could rely on each other and reduce the cost of doing everything themselves.


This also wouldn't just be an electoral coalition, I see the mission to coordinate direct action and organizing even more important.


A few large and nationally active organizations which I think could be good allies within this coalition:

Democratic Socialists of America(DSA)

Black Rose Anarchist Federation

Black Socialists in America(BSA)

Our Revolution

Socialist Alternative(SA)

Industrial Workers of the World(IWW)

Socialist Party USA(SPUSA)

Green Party(GPUSA)

Party for Socialism and Liberation(PSL)

Socialist Rifle Association(SRA)

This is by no means supposed to be a comprehensive list, and of course other smaller or more regional groups we should definitely seek out.


Not all of them necessarily have to be explicitly socialist, and various other labor, pro-justice, or Left populist groups I think could be welcome allies if they share programmatic and strategic goals.


As for the roles in this coalition, I see the DSA as the multi tendency core which can unite many divided strains of Leftists together under a shared banner, as well as introduce those newer to socialist politics. For this reason, I don't see our organization as being a party. Instead I would see that role as filled by other parties(GPUSA, SA, PSL), with whom we can pool resources and gain nationwide access on a shared ballot line. The various organizations can and should remain largely autonomous, both for respect, security risks, and to avoid the inevitable fracturing which would happen if we joined as a single organization. Labor organizing would be spearheaded by our own labor commission, the IWW, and other unions who wish to join our cause. Street and direction action could be led by our own chapters, those of SA, and other groups. We should specifically look for radical LGBTQ+, feminist, indigenous, and racial justice groups to join/lead in these direct actions, as well as join our coalition more broadly.


Note: I have attached a copy of my resolutions below, and will expand on the conception of the Sixth International later. With this resolution, I also make a secondary suggestion to the DSA, if we wish to build a true mass movement, we must find a way to incorporate membership without dues, which is a large obstacle I see to bringing people into the organization. My chapter has around 50 active members, I believe the number of those who pay dues is around 10. If we were to incorporate the whole of the organization, dues or no, we would likely total at least half a million members.


Coalition Resolution
.pdf
Download PDF • 58KB

44 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Towards A United Front For Southwest Ohio

We don't have a program for October, but this reflection is our equivalent for this month. Organizing in a rural area has interesting challenges for a city-oriented organization like the DSA and the p

August Program

Here is our August program, for the fall we are gonna be focused on organizing, mutual aid, and political education.

RE: Towards Power

Towards Power has just released its voting guide, where the caucus advocates voting no on both resolutions I have proposed. I want to preface this by saying I respect their position, and their desire

Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page