Ian Gallagher
Template:TOCnestleft Ian Gallagher
"Socialism 101"
On March 4, 2017, Freedom Road Socialist Organization/FightBack! (FRSO) hosted a workshop titled “Socialism 101: Students, Socialism & The Revolution” at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. The workshop included an introduction to socialist theory, followed by discussion on applying socialist theory to the student movement.
“In the Trump era of declining capitalism and overt oppression, student organizing becomes more important than ever. Students are in the unique position where they have the ability and time to learn socialist theories while directly putting them into practice through a campus-based campaign. Plus, the world that Trump is creating is going to be left behind to the youth to fix. Students are perfectly positioned to affect expansive and rapid change, which we need now more than ever,” Michela Martinazzi of FRSO said about the students’ role in organizing for socialism and against Trump’s agenda.
“While they are in school, students and youth must become anti-imperialists, and take up the struggles of the multinational working class and oppressed nationalities and put those demands in the forefront, working to advance the interests of the people and land blows against the ruling class and their cronies.” said Ian Gallagher of FRSO, highlighting the importance of organizing in the student movement.[1]
Solidarity with college faculty
Pennsylvania college faculty won a new contract after three days on the picket lines and mobilizing support from students, parents and other sectors of support throughout the state.
On the second day of the strike on Oct. 20 2016, APSCUF, the faculty union of Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), continued picketing to demand quality education, maintain quality healthcare and fight cuts. Students and faculty picketed, marched and sang union songs like Solidarity Forever and Which Side Are You On?. Protesters also chanted, “El pueblo unido, jamás seran vencido!” or “The people united, will never be defeated!” Students stood with faculty holding signs all around campus and offered rides, made food and handed out water.
In addition, students traveled to PASSHE headquarters in Harrisburg to make the chancellor listen to them. One student group was consistently on the frontlines with faculty, the West Chester University of Pennsylvania chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) demonstrated their solidarity by picketing with faculty from early in the morning to late at night.
Sabrina Glass of West Chester SDS said, “While I was personally frustrated with the PASSHE system, for showing a blatant lack of concern for my own education, what was more frustrating was watching the concern and worry in my professors leading up to the strike. No one deserves to spend such a long amount of time wondering about what the future of their jobs may be.”
Then students marched to the Olive Branch Restaurant where Governor Tom Wolf was invited to an important luncheon. The students demanded the governor come down to visit West Chester University of Pennsylvania campus.
Sabina Sister was able to engage the governor, but all Governor Wolf could say was “You should just get back to class.” As students marched and chanted in front of the restaurant, Governor Wolf eventually left out the back door.
Sabina Sister and Ian Gallagher of SDS helped lead chants: “We shall not be moved,” “Brogan, get it done,” and “When education is under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back!” Students then led yet another march around campus chanting “Students for faculty” and “2-4-6-8 now they must negotiate!”
Reflecting on his experiences, SDSer Aaron Gallant said, “I realized exactly why being on the teachers’ picket line was so important when I talked to someone about the strike and they spoke as if I were a victim of selfish professors. This surprised me, as I believe the decision to strike to be absolutely legitimate. In order to claim every worker’s right to strike we must dispel the myth that strikers are lazy or selfish by supporting them wherever they are.”[2]