Building the Left

[Joby]

What experience do people on here have in building a Leftist movement, or any movement for that matter?

Just curious. I've seen manuals on "how to run as a Democrat/Republican" at the book store (step 1: Learn how to bullshit real good). There doesn't seem to be any advice on practical ways to build a grass-roots, local movement avalable, however.

Whether it's an animal rights march, canvassing for your local Socialist candidate, distributing pamphlets, or just standing by a busy intersection with a provactive sign...Please share!

I'm thinking about going to an IWW meeting over in Ft Worth soon, just curious as to how many of y'all are active in the real world! Any sites with some advoce would be appreciated, too.

*I'd post this in a more appropriate sub-forum, but obviously I'm in exile down here :blushing:

[last_angry_man]

My activities have been somewhat limited as of late, but I do make it out to just about every local anti-Bush / anti-war protest or anti-torture protest that either World Can't Wait (front for RCP) or the ANSWER folks organize.

Along with Code Pink, the World Can't Wait and ANSWER are the main groups responsible for organizing significant protests in my area (Los Angeles)

all are easily found via Google (I'm not allowed to include links until I've been on this forum a little longer...)

On the other hand, I find the hard core tactics of Earthfirst!, the ELF and the ALF much more in line with my personal outlook on how to work towards your goals.

[BurnTheOliveTree]

T'is difficult. Some friends of mine and I have a bit of a group going in Hastings, we found it easiest to make a branch of an existing party (The Socialist Party), since we had a clear style and message and so forth.

-Alex

[RGacky3]

The limited things I do involve efforts in my work place, adgitating, organizing, confronting the boss. Things like that, I work in a small office so the dynamics are a bit different, I've also helped some others try and organize their workplace. I'd like to get more involved with the IWW, but it seams they arn't very strong here in L.A.

The IWW has a good organizing manual,

[Joby]

T'is difficult. Some friends of mine and I have a bit of a group going in Hastings, we found it easiest to make a branch of an existing party (The Socialist Party), since we had a clear style and message and so forth.


The only thing in America is, You really can't have "socialist" in the name of a group you really want to build among the non-politico's. It's branded up there with "Fascism," "Nazism," "Communism" and the like in the American psyche....Quite sad, really.

Seriously though, good luck with that.

[Joby]

The limited things I do involve efforts in my work place, adgitating, organizing, confronting the boss. Things like that, I work in a small office so the dynamics are a bit different, I've also helped some others try and organize their workplace. I'd like to get more involved with the IWW, but it seams they arn't very strong here in L.A.

The IWW has a good organizing manual,

Sounds cool. Keep it up.

How's reception in LA?
I'll have to look that manual up, Do you have a link to an on-line copy? :confused:

[RGacky3]

I think they have it on their website.