Party for Socialism and Liberation

Infobox American Political Party
party_name = Party for Socialism and Liberation
party_
colorcode = #FFFFFF
leader =
chairman =
spokesperson =
foundation = 2004 [ [http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6831&news_iv_ctrl=1028 Socialism and Liberation magazine is changing] at pslweb.org, accessed 7 June 2008]
ideology = Communism,
Marxism-Leninism
fiscalpolicy = Socialist economics
socialpolicy = Revolutionary socialism
headquarters =
international = none
website = [http://www.pslweb.org/ PSLweb.org]

The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) is a Marxist party in the United States founded to promote revolutionary change. [ [http://www.pslweb.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AboutUs About the Party for Socialism and Liberation] at pslweb.org, accessed 4 June 2007.]

It was originally created as the result of a split within the ranks of the Workers World Party (WWP). The San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, D.C. branches of WWP left almost in their entirety to form the PSL. The PSL has since established branches in several additional urban centers across the United States.

Publications

The main publications of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, reflecting its political perspective, are the biweekly newspaper, " [http://www.pslweb.org/site/PageServer?pagename=liberation Liberation] ", and the quarterly magazine, " [http://www.socialismandliberation.org/mag/index.php Socialism and Liberation] ". PSL outlines its political perspective, including its assessment of the current international and domestic situation in the pamphlet " [http://socialismandliberation.org/PSLsite/newsFlash.html Who We Are, What We Stand For] ." The PSL advocates building a revolutionary workers’ party in the United States.

International views

The PSL supports the government of Cuba, and while critical of the current Chinese government, it views the Chinese Revolution favorably. The PSL also supports the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela – a frequent topic in its magazine. It has endorsed activities that call for the release of the Cuban Five – deemed political prisoners by supporters – and called for the extradition of Luis Posada Carriles from the US. [ [http://www.pslweb.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cubasolidarity Cuba Solidarity Campaign] at pslweb.org, accessed 4 June 2007.]

The PSL supports the rights of nations to self determination. It has been among the most outspoken organization in condemning the state of Israel and its role in the Middle East. The PSL also led demonstrations against the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in July 2006. The PSL supports the right of return for Palestinian people.

Participation in the anti-war movement

The PSL is very active in the antiwar movement. It is a member of the steering committee of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), which has taken a lead organizing role in mass antiwar demonstrations since 2001. Unlike the Workers World Party, which never maintained a formal position in the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition despite its clear influence, the PSL’s role within A.N.S.W.E.R. is overt. As one of the most active members of the coalition. PSL has gained notice for successfully forging ties with Arab and Muslim American groups such as the Muslim American Society, Al-Awda and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. This cooperation with these groups has been characterized by conservatives as dangerous collaboration with "Islamists". [Ben Johnson, " [http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=18778 Communists Against the Military] , "FrontPageMag.com", 14 July 2005 (accessed 4 June 2007).]

The National Offices of the Party for Socialism and Liberation are based in San Francisco, California and Washington, D.C.. The PSL also maintains branches and centers in Baltimore, MD; Chicago; Los Angeles, CA; New Haven, CT; New Paltz and New York City, NY; San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; Sioux Falls, SD; and Miami, FL. The PSL's New York City branch is based in Harlem.

PSL electoral participation

For the 2008 U.S. elections, PSL is fielding candidates Gloria La Riva for President and Eugene Puryear for Vice President. In 1994 and 1998, La Riva was the Peace and Freedom Party candidate for governor of California, and was the Worker's World Party candidate for U.S. vice president from 1984 to 2000. Michael Prysner, an anti-war Iraq war veteran, is also running for Congress in Florida's 22nd congressional district. The party is also running nine other candidates in four states and DC. [" [http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8091 Meet the PSL candidates across the country!] ", VotePSL.org, accessed 5 June 2008.]

Notes

ources

* [http://socialismandliberation.org/PSLsite/whoWeAre.html "Who We Are" from the website of the Party for Socialism and Liberation]
* [http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=18778 "Communists Against the Military" an article by Ben Johnson for FrontPageMagazine which discusses PSL's participation in ANSWER noting the unusual alliance of communist and "Islamist" organizations]
* [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51375 World Net Daily article on "Muslim-Marxist Coalition," including PSL, demonstrating in Washington D.C.]
* [http://www.workers.org/archives/1997/deng.html Article from Workers World newspaper calling the Tiananmen Square crackdown an "incipient counter-revolution"]

External links

* [http://www.pslweb.org Party web site,] released July 2006.
* [http://www.socialismandliberation.org/mag/index.php Socialism and Liberation Magazine]
* [http://www.answercoalition.org/ AnswerCoalition.org] official site
* [http://www.votepsl.org VotePSL.org] PSL 2008 electoral candidates' website