Bob Avakian Answers - Accusations of “Cult”: Ignorance, and Cowardice

 

From revcom.us:

Bob Avakian Answers Accusations of “Cult”: IGNORANCE, AND COWARDICE "In my writings and talks, I have repeatedly emphasized the importance of seeking the truth by scientific means, and following the truth wherever it leads—applying the scientific method to continually learn about reality, from many different sources, including people who disagree with what we are all about—in order to transform reality in a positive way, in the interests of humanity. We revcoms are always anxious to learn about any real problems or shortcomings in what we are doing, so that we can do even better in working for the revolution that is so urgently needed. We are strongly in favor of serious discussion, debate and principled struggle over ideas (ideological struggle), especially about the profound problems and critical situation that people here, and all over the world, are facing, and what is the answer to this. There is far too little of this, and we are actively working to overcome that—to promote serious discussion, debate and principled ideological struggle about these crucial questions. But the accusation that we are a “cult” has nothing to do with reality, is not in any way an expression of principled disagreement, and does not make any kind of positive contribution to serious discussion and debate over crucial questions. In some cases this accusation comes partly from ignorance—not knowing what we are actually about. But if you don’t know about this, you should find out about it, and not just listen to—and repeat—ignorant nonsense about it. And, on the part of far too many, there is deliberate ignore-ance—consciously avoiding knowledge of what we are actually saying and doing, while spreading rumors and lies about this. Anyone who really wants to know what we stand for, and are working for, can easily find out, by watching The RNL—Revolution, Nothing Less!—Show and going to revcom.us, where works of mine and other materials make very clear what we are actually saying and doing: We are applying—and continually working and struggling to win growing numbers of people to take up and apply—a scientific (not a “cultish”) method and approach, in building for an actual revolution to sweep away this oppressive and destructive system of capitalism-imperialism, which causes so much horrendous and unnecessary suffering, not just for masses of people in this country but for the masses of humanity worldwide, and which poses a growing threat to the very existence of humanity. But there is also cowardice on the part of some who make this ridiculous accusation of “cult”: It is a way of saying you don’t have the heart to fight for something really worth fighting for, a way of looking for (or inventing) “faults” in what we are about, so that you don’t have to put yourself on the line to do something that would really deal with the terrible situation that so many people are subjected to and the profound crisis that humanity is facing and needs to radically transform. It is a way of avoiding the work, the struggle—and, yes, the sacrifice—that is required to actually have a chance, at long last, to bring down this atrocious system and contribute in this way to the goal of ending all oppression, exploitation, degradation and the destruction of the environment—emancipating humanity from all this. And it should be obvious who most benefits from this cheap talk of “cult.” It is the powers-that-be—those who rule in this system, who inflict so much suffering on the masses of people, everywhere, with such terrible cruelty and brutal savagery. They are determined to keep on doing this, and they are very happy to see slanders and lies spread about the people who are serious about putting an end to all this and are actively working to do that. As I said at the beginning, we revcoms are determined to continue learning more, in order to do even better in meeting the tremendous challenge we are facing—building for, and organizing forces for, a real revolution. And we are working to promote serious discussion, debate and principled ideological struggle about the profound problems and critical situation that people here, and all over the world, are facing, and what is the answer to this. Everyone who does not wish to remain mired in ignorance regarding such crucial questions, and who refuses to sink to the petty, gutter level of accusations of “cult,” should seriously engage what we are saying and doing and take part in the crucial process of grappling with what is really required to deal with the situation with which humanity is now urgently confronted. Learn more about: Bob Avakian A Radically Different Leader — A Whole New Framework for Human Emancipation HERE   Read it here Revcom.us--where you go to scientifically understand and radically change the world... Go to www.revcom.us every day. Stay connected...  ‌  ‌  ‌ Visit revcom.us. Volunteers Needed... for revcom.us and Revolution Subscribe | Donate | Sustain ...

Saturday, 6/26 - Mass Meeting on the "Declaration and Call" - Getting Organized Now for a Real Revolution

 

From revcom.us:

You are invited: JUNE 26 Mass Meeting on the “Declaration and Call”— Getting Organized Now for a Real Revolution   The call for the mass meetings begins with the opening of the “Declaration and Call”: Let’s get down to basics: We need a revolution—nothing less! To everyone who can’t stand this world the way it is ... who is sick and tired of so many people being treated as less than human ... who knows that the claim of “liberty and justice for all” is a cruel lie ... who is righteously enraged that injustice and inequality go on, and on, and on, despite false promises and honeyed words from people in power (or those seeking power) ... everyone who agonizes about where things are headed and the fact that to be young now means being denied a decent future, or any future at all ... everyone who has ever dreamed about something much better, or even wondered whether that is possible ... everyone who hungers for a world without oppression, exploitation, poverty, and destruction of the environment ... everyone who has the heart to fight for something that is really worth fighting for: You need to be part of this revolution. There will be mass meetings next weekend—in Los Angeles on Saturday June 26, and in New York City and Chicago on Sunday June 27—to get into the “Declaration and Call” and get deeper into “why an actual revolution is necessary, what such a revolution involves, and what kind of society this is aiming for.” Meet other people like yourself, get into the Declaration and Call, and go back and forth with the revcoms on this. In Los Angeles: June 26, 10am to 5pm (lunch provided) On Crenshaw Boulevard, in South Central Los Angeles For more information: call 323-671-9839 DM @TheRevcoms email revclub_la@yahoo.com Getting this revolution, and its leadership, known everywhere—A great need, the main aspect, and some initial experiences We can and need to take BA, directly out to people, the most precious thing we DO have, the leadership and the architect for a whole new framework of human emancipation. Read more Here are some experiences of people spreading this at work and in their day to day life: Excerpts from The RNL—Revolution, Nothing Less!—Show Interview “I Talk with Everybody” ... Read more Spreading the Word About This Revolution on Social Media— Letter from a member of @TheRevcoms social media team Read more WEAPONS OF OPPRESSION, AND THE HEART TO FIGHT TO END OPPRESSION by Bob Avakian Read more  |  Download flyer (PDF) here Listen to Carl Dix read "WEAPONS OF OPPRESSION, AND THE HEART TO FIGHT TO END OPPRESSION," by Bob Avakian

 

From revcom.us: TODAY / Friday, June 18, 5pm PT 8pm ET: Watch Episode 57 of The RNL—Revolution, Nothing Less—Show!   Featuring Reportage of June 12 Marches to Show the World: We Are Getting Organized Now for Revolution, Nothing Less! Tune in. And spread the word! youtube.com/therevcoms From the RNL Crew: This week, our new episode will air on Friday instead of the usual Thursday—and it will be a really important and excellent episode. We'll report on the march that took place on June 12 in Los Angeles, with important support marches in New York City as well as Chicago, to “Show the World: We Are Getting Organized Now for Revolution, Nothing Less!” These marches were a major effort by the revcoms to apply the orientation and carry out the strategy put forward in A Declaration, A Call to Get Organized NOW for a Real Revolution. The truth is: we've never had so much footage of so many powerful revolutionary speeches, chants, disciplined marching, interviews and bystander reactions to sift through. This is without question the biggest editing job we've ever undertaken. We intend to bring you something really good, so it is going to take an extra day. Fortunately, we designed last week's episode – Episode 56 – to be a good introduction to everyone who just got involved in or met the revolution through the June 12 marches, as well as deep grounding and guidance for all returning viewers. So we encourage you to use today to rewatch that episode. Then, be sure to come back to youtube.com/therevcoms on Friday, June 18, at 5 pm Pacific/8 pm Eastern, for the new episode. Remember to subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode at youtube.com/therevcoms. Follow @TheRevcoms on social media  Donate and become a patron at patreon.com/therevcoms  Like, Share, and Subscribe: YouTube.com/therevcoms

Juneteenth—June 19—is the day on which the emancipation of Black people from chattel slavery is celebrated. It took a civil war to end it—a civil war in which Black people fought and died out of proportion to their numbers in the population. And yet, in basic terms, Black people are still not free. The white supremacy poured into the foundations of this society still remains woven deeply into its fabric. But there IS an answer: revolution. There is the potential for something of unprecedented beauty to arise out of unspeakable ugliness: Black people playing a crucial role in putting an end, at long last, to this system which has, for so long, not just exploited but dehumanized, terrorized and tormented them in a thousand ways—putting an end to this in the only way it can be done—by fighting to emancipate humanity, to put an end to the long night in which human society has been divided into masters and slaves, and the masses of humanity have been lashed, beaten, raped, slaughtered, shackled and shrouded in ignorance and misery. —Bob Avakian, from The New Communism To learn more about the revolution we need and the leadership we have, go to revcom.us. Read “Racial Oppression Can Be Ended—But Not Under This System,” by Bob Avakian. Juneteenth celebration in Los Angeles, 2020. Photo: AP Download and print (PDF)

Will YOU Be There? Sat 2 pm March Southwest College to LA Sheriff's Station - to Show the World:: Getting Organized Now for Revolution, Nothing Less

 

REVOLUTION BOOKS LOS ANGELES From revcom.us: Will YOU Be There? March 2 PM (Gather: Los Angeles Southwest College on Western Ave and Imperial Highway)   June 12th Show The World: We Are Getting Organized Now For Revolution – Nothing Less! WE ARE FIGHTING TO EMANCIPATE ALL HUMANITY For a World Free of All Oppression and Exploitation, No More Antagonistic Divisions Among the People   If YOU can’t stand the way the world is... if you are sick and tired of so many people being treated as less than human... if you have a heart to fight for something really worth fighting for: BE THERE and March June 12th. Read more HERE   Frequently Asked Questions about the June 12 march to Show The World: We Are Getting Organized Now For Revolution, Nothing Less!  June 10, 2021 | revcom.us   What is this march all about? We will be showing people there is a way to a world and a future that is worth living for: REVOLUTION—Nothing Less! There is a plan for revolution, there’s leadership for that in Bob Avakian, and reason to have hope on a solid scientific basis.WE (including YOU) show there’s a force that is growing and organizing, fighting for a whole different world and living for that future NOW!And that in turn will make people turn their heads, give them hope, and attract more people to this. We’re starting at LA Southwest College. We’ll be marching through the neighborhood, some of us in disciplined formation and t-shirts, and others joining in. All who want to see this movement grow are welcome to join in any way they can. The march will then go to the sheriff’s station. Why is it so important to march now?  In a country like this, with very powerful oppressors, it is not always possible to make an all-out revolution. We live in a rare time and circumstances when we could actually make revolution—depending on what we do and build right now! We can’t waste this chance! READ MORE FAQ's HERE.   Watch and share the latest episode of the RNL - Revolution - Nothing Less Show! WATCH AND SHARE.

Vicious Wave of Repression Sparks Global Movement to Free Iran’s Political Prisoners

 

From revcom.us: We received the following from the International Emergency Campaign to Free Iran's Political Prisoners On June 4, the online progressive journal CounterPunch.org published an important article by Larry Everest about the Emergency Campaign.  Below are excerpts from the article.  We urge our readers to read the full article at CounterPunch and ACT to spread the Campaign’s Emergency Appeal. JUNE 4, 2021 Vicious Wave of Repression Sparks Global Movement to Free Iran’s Political Prisoners BY LARRY EVEREST   She should imagine thousands of people in the court room, standing next to her and demanding: #FreeNahid That’s what Mariam Claren told her imprisoned mother, a 66-year-old, dual German-Iranian citizen and women’s rights activist, before her first Iranian court appearance on April 28. As the world’s attention concerning Iran largely focuses on the nuclear negotiations between governments (Iran, the U.S. and other big powers), the Islamic Republic has unleashed a sweeping but largely unreported wave of arbitrary arrests. This in turn has sparked new protests in Iran, courageous resistance by political prisoners and a growing global movement of relatives, former prisoners, human rights organizations, arts organizations and other supporters demanding their freedom. The renowned, now imprisoned attorney Nasrin Soutedeh, who has continued to speak out for all Iran’s political prisoners from behind bars, has attracted wide international support.... ...That makes the Emergency Appeal’s stance all the more timely and important: The governments of the U.S. and Iran act from their national interests. And, in this instance, we the people of the U.S. and Iran, along with the people of the world, have OUR shared interests, as part of getting to a better world: to unite to defend the political prisoners of Iran. In the U.S., we have a special responsibility to unite very broadly against this vile repression by the IRI, and to actively oppose any war moves by the U.S. government that would bring even more unbearable suffering to the people of Iran. All those who stand for justice and yearn for a better world must rally to the cause of freeing Iran’s political prisoners NOW! I encourage CounterPunch readers to join me in endorsing it. Read full article at CounterPunch Go to the Emergency Appeal website: for urgent updates, to sign, to volunteer

For more information, read and share this: May 30 Update from the Emergency Campaign to Free Iran’s Political Prisoners “Unbearable”—The Lives of Iran’s Political Prisoners Hang in the Balance Global Outcry Urgently Needed—We Must ACT Now! May 31, 2021 | revcom.us   Composite photo of dual nationals being held as prisoners in Iran.

 From revcom.us:

LA Sheriffs Try to Deny Permit to the Revcoms to March on June 12... and the Sheriffs LOSE!

June 4, 2021 | revcom.us

 

The Revcoms have called for everyone who cannot stand the way the world is, and have the heart to fight for something worth fighting for, to march Saturday, 2 p.m., June 12 to show the world we are getting organized now for Revolution—Nothing Less!

The LA Sheriffs tried to deny a permit for this march, but after an outpouring of protest they were forced to back off. Last week, the Revolution Club received a formal letter denying a permit for this march, signed by head Sheriff Alex Villanueva, with the bogus reasons that, 1. This Sheriff's station “does not have a sufficient number of patrol deputies... without inhibiting normal police protection to the rest of the unincorporated region nearby” and 2. “Past demonstrations within the last year at South LA Station became unruly, which ultimately resulted in injury to persons and property.”

First, the idea that they could deny the right of people to march and speak out because the sheriffs don’t have enough resources to shut them up is ridiculous on its face. Enough said about that.

Second, let’s talk about “unruly” and “injury to persons and property.” Dijon Kizzee was murdered by the LA Sheriffs. And people who came out to protest the violence of these sheriffs were met with more violence from the sheriffs, who shot tear gas and rubber bullets at gatherings for days, hitting children and sending people to the hospital. If they got away with this, they’d be able to declare any protest against their violence as “unlawful assembly,” viciously attack people the way they did last year, and then use their own violence to declare that people don’t have the right to march in the streets any more. This is not mainly hypocrisy, it is deadly fascist logic.

And by the way, when the revolution comes to power, people who oppose us will not only have every right to march and protest against us—that opposition against us will even be funded! Look at the Constitution for the New Socialist Republic in North America, authored by the revolutionary leader Bob Avakian at revcom.us.

Nobody should accept these unruly, out-of-control, white supremacist gang-infested LA Sheriffs determining who gets to march, shredding up people’s rights, or making those rights meaningless. And a diverse group of voices DID come together to demand the march permit, including reverends, lawyers, professors, musicians, well-known actors, health care workers, activists, as well as people from South Central… Go to revcom.us for the full list. And WE WON!

Why Were the Sheriffs Shook... Why Did They Back Off… What Are the Key Lessons?

In short, one of the things common to all the brutes enforcing oppression is that they rely on keeping the people that they oppress most viciously feeling surrounded and powerless. The diverse voices speaking up showed the potential of different kinds of people from different parts of society coming together against the arbitrary authority of these sheriffs.

It also needs to be understood, the brutes enforcing this system FEAR the people they oppress. Yes, read that again. THEY. Fear. YOU. The system they enforce has no future—no way to END white supremacy, male supremacy, demonizing of immigrants, wars for empire, or the destruction of the environment—and they fear that millions of those who they have no answers for, and no future for, could have a real shot at ending this whole system if they get connected with Bob Avakian and the Revcoms, and started working together now for revolution.

Even when it seems like we’re all too fucked up, too busy going along with the way things are, or too busy fighting each other… the oppressors see, and fear that potential. Bob Avakian (BA) sees that potential too, he understands what the masses of people are capable of, fighting to emancipate all humanity… and far from fearing that potential, BA has dedicated his life to making that potential a reality.

This is especially true right now, when we live in times where society is tearing apart, and an opening for revolution could be seized on through this. We can’t afford to waste these rare times, and we can’t afford to waste the rare leadership we have in BA. June 12th, YOU need to march with the Revcoms. People need to be, and people need to see, a force of people fighting for a whole different world. People need to be, and people need to see, a force that is preparing conditions and building up strength, to get ready for when millions can be led to go all-out for revolution, dismantling and defeating the violent institutions that enforce this system.

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A Call to All Who Want a Better World…

Saturday, June 12, 2 p.m. MARCH!

From Southwest College to the LA County Sheriffs

Show the World: We Are Getting Organized Now For REVOLUTION, NOTHING LESS!

March will start at the corner of Southwest College on Western Ave. and Imperial Hwy.

March through the neighborhood, to the South LA Sheriff’s Station, 1310 W. Imperial Hwy.

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And to all those who want a better world, who want people to be able to raise their sights to a better world: YOU need to be there too on Saturday, June 12!

Download 11X17 flyer here (PDF)

Go Here for More Coverage of June 12

FROM THE REVCOMS (REVCOM.US):

A DECLARATION,
A CALL TO GET ORGANIZED NOW
FOR A REAL REVOLUTION

Read more

 

Act NOW to Oppose LA County Sheriff's Denial of Permit for Revolution Club March on June 12

 

From revcom.us: What Are They Afraid Of?! LA County Sheriff's Deny Permit for Revolution Club March on June 12 The Revolution Club Says this March Will Go Forward People Begin to Raise Their Voice to Demand the Permit Be Granted As plans are coming together in Los Angeles for the Revolution Club March on June 12, “Show the World: We Are Getting Organized Now For REVOLUTION, NOTHING LESS!,” there has been an outrageous attempt at political suppression by the LA County Sheriffs who have arbitrarily and unjustly denied the permit.  This is unacceptable, this march will go forward and a range of legal and political voices are raising the demand that this permit be granted! This march will start at Southwest College in the Westmont neighborhood of South Central, it will march through the neighborhood and arrive at the LA Sheriff Station South, and it will send the basic message: “WE ARE FIGHTING TO EMANCIPATE ALL HUMANITY—For a World Free of All Oppression and Exploitation! No More Antagonistic Divisions Among the People. THIS SYSTEM CANNOT BE REFORMED—IT MUST BE OVERTHROWN!” The Revolution Club received a formal denial signed by head Sheriff Alex Villaneuva with the bogus reasons given that, 1. this Sheriff's station “does not have a sufficient number of patrol deputies... without inhibiting normal police protection to the rest of the unincorporated region nearby” and that 2. “Past demonstrations within the last year at South LA Station became unruly, which ultimately resulted in injury to persons and property.” First of all, the only reasons these protests became “unruly” is because of the wanton brutality from the pigs themselves. After these Sheriffs murdered 18-year-old Andres Guardado and 29-year-old Dijon Kizzee, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, there were a series of protests at this Sheriff’s Station. These protests were met with vicious brutality—the Sheriffs tear-gassed legally assembled protesters, including young children at a press conference; they shot rubber bullets aimed at injuring protesters, aiming for people's groins, hands and faces, and arrested dozens of people. Second, the basic right of the Revolution Club to deliver this urgent political message is not dependent on how many pigs they can dispatch to direct traffic! The Revolution Club chose this political target because, “The LA County Sheriffs—like the other police forces and the military—‘serve and protect’ THIS SYSTEM—the system of capitalism-imperialism. The system that rules this planet. The system that destroys lives and crushes spirits… that treats all kinds of people as ‘less than human’… that hunts down and drives down our youth in so many ways… and that threatens the very existence of humanity.” The LA Sheriffs terrorize people throughout LA County, murdering at least 330 people since 2000. After killing people, they stalk and aim to silence the families of victims of police murder who speak out about the killing of their loved ones. There are open white supremacists within the LA Sheriffs, with organized gangs that get special badges and tattoos for murdering Black and Brown people. With this rejection, the Sheriffs are making clear that they cannot tolerate the people getting organized to deliver this message. And in this, they are showing the NEED for this march in the first place: because their violent repressive force is illegitimate. The Call for June 12 says, “This system must go! So, Let’s Get Down to Basics: We Need A Real Revolution!” This march is about standing up to this system and raising a beacon that there is an organized force here in this country that is serious about revolution and a whole better world. “This revolution is possible. We are in a rare time when this really could be. But only if we get organized.” This is urgently needed! The Revolution Club is not only not backing down—but is reaching out throughout all of society, to all those—coming from a range of political backgrounds and perspectives—who “want a better world,” and who see the need for the basic right of people to make this political statement. In the face of this attempt at political suppression, a range of people coming from different perspectives have signed a letter demanding the LA County Board of Supervisors (which oversees the LA Sheriffs) reverse this denial and grant a permit. Those who have signed include Cornel West; Marjorie Cohn, the former president of the National Lawyers Guild; Mike Davis, professor emeritus, U.C. Riverside and author of books that have exposed the brutality of the LA police; Jim Lafferty, the executive director emeritus of the National Lawyers Guild, LA Chapter; Jorge Rodriguez, co-chair of the 50th Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium Planning Committee; Stephen Rohde, an interfaith activist and retired First Amendment lawyer; and Rev. Frank Wulf, pastor, Echo Park United Methodist Church.

CALLS TO ACTION: 1.  Press Conference, Today / Wed., June 2, 11am  LA County Sheriff’s Station South at 1310 W. Imperial Highway to Demand the Permit Be Granted Oppose an outrageous attempt of political suppression by the LA County Sheriff’s Department (LASD)!  The LASD is attempting to deny a permit for the Revolution Club's march, planned for June 12, marching from Southwest College to the Sheriff's Station to “Show the World: We Are Getting Organized Now For REVOLUTION, NOTHING LESS!”   2.  Sign the Statement demanding the LA Board of Supervisors grant the Revolution Club a permit to march.  You can see that HERE and below.  Post this on your social media accounts. 3.  Call Holly Mitchell, Second District Representative from the LA County Board of Supervisors, to demand the Board of Supervisors grant this permit: 213.974.2222.     4.  Pledge to be there on June 12 to stand with this march and be part of sending this important message. At an urgent political moment, when this message needs to be heard throughout society, this is an unacceptable attempt at political suppression and censorship that will set a very dangerous precedent.  Everyone who wants to see a better world needs to raise their voices to demand this permit be granted. ______   To LA County Board of Supervisors   On June 12, the Revolution Club will lead a rally and march in South Central LA to “Show the World: We Are Getting Organized Now For REVOLUTION, NOTHING LESS!”  The Revolution Club is calling for this to involve all those “who want a better world.”  They are marching from Southwest College, through the Westmont neighborhood to the LA Sheriff's South Station near Imperial and Normandie.   The LA Sheriff's Department (LASD) has summarily rejected the Revolution Club's First Amendment permit application for this march.  This constitutional violation cannot stand and must be reversed.   Those of us signing this letter condemn the violation of the Revolution Club’s right to protest.  We demand the LA County Board of Supervisors grant the Revolution Club the permit it has applied for, reversing LASD’s unconstitutional determination.   We are especially concerned the LA Sheriffs, who have a long history of violence against political demonstrators – from the Chicano Moratorium 50 years ago to the attacks on protesters last year in the wake of LASD shootings of Andres Guardado and Dijon Kizzee – are deliberately creating a dangerous situation for this protest. Such unconstitutional repression is unacceptable.   The flyer for this June 12 March states: “We Are Fighting to Emancipate All Humanity – For a World Free of All Oppression and Exploitation. No More Antagonistic Divisions Among the People.  This System Cannot Be Reformed – It Must Be Overthrown!”  We, the undersigned coming from a range of perspectives, appreciate the basic right of the Revolution Club to march under this banner.  We demand that the LA County Board of Supervisors immediately reverse the LASD rejection of the First Amendment permit and grant the permit the Revolution Club requires.   Selected signatories so far include:   Isabel Cardenas, American-Salvadoran/U.S. Citizen and Community Activist Marjorie Cohn, former President, National Lawyers Guild Mike Davis, Professor Emeritus, UC Riverside Noche Diaz, National Spokesperson, Revolution Club Chris Giaco, owner, Page Against The Machine bookstore Danny Haynes, Nurse and Activist John Hedlund, PhD Candidate, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, North Carolina State University Ernestine Henning, Civil Rights and Community Activist Andre Henry, Activist Chantelle Hershberger, member, Revolution Club LA and former #Freeway9 defendant/Refuse Fascism Melvin Ishmael Johnson, Director of Dramastage, Qumran Veterans Theatre Workshop Dan Kapelovitz, criminal defense and animal rights attorney and 2021 candidate of Governor of California Robin D. G. Kelley, Professor of History, UCLA Jim Lafferty, Executive Director Emeritus, National Lawyers Guild, LA Chapter Elly Levy, Attorney and Anti-Fascist Activist Wendy Lujan, Activist Rev. Nathaniel Martin, National Action Network, President, LA Chapter Rev. Cecil Murray, Former Pastor of First AME Church, Los Angeles, CA; Civil Rights Activist Rev. Drew D. Murray, Civil Rights Activist Matilda Oberman, Co-Founder, Respect Your Roots Mobolaji Olambiwonnu, Filmmaker Emanuel Padilla, Activist Rich Procida, Bible Study for Progressives Mary Ratcliff, publisher, San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper Jorge Rodriguez, Activist, civil rights leader, co-chair of the 50th Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium Planning Committee Stephen Rohde, Interfaith activist and retired First Amendment lawyer Joe Veale, former member of the Black Panther Party, part of the National Tour to Get Organized for an ACTUAL Revolution Paul Von Blum, Civil Rights Activist; Senior Lecturer, UCLA African-American Studies and Communication Studies Cornel West Amir Whitaker, Founder/Director of Project KnuckleHead Rev. Frank Wulf, Pastor, Echo Park United Methodist Church