Coalition to March on the DNC

Coalition to March on the DNC

Getting ready for 2024

According to Zhenya Polozova Coalition to March on the DNC hosted a press conference at Chicago City Hall the morning of September 19 2023, calling on the city to issue a previously-denied permit recognizing the right of working and oppressed people to march within sight and sound of the August 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

“According to the Park District, permits are not being given out for 2024 until November,” said Kobi Guillory, co-chair of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

“We condemn in the strongest way possible this attack on our right to protest, because that’s what this is,” said Liz Rathburn, member of New Students for a Democratic Society.

“The Black and brown communities are constantly being approached by the Democrats about our vote,” said Maggie Lugo, executive director of Casa Michoacan. “It’s time they also listened to us and act on our vote.”

“I joined this coalition because I believe that our communities deserve the things that actually keep us safe like education, housing, good-paying jobs, clean neighborhoods, a healthy environment and access to healthy foods,” said Russel Dahlman, a Starbucks worker. “I want to tell Biden and the Democratic Party: ‘Stop interfering with workers’ right to strike and our communities right to protest.’”

“When we say money for jobs, housing, health, and education, we are voicing the demands of the people who are supposed to have a voice in the government that represents them,” said Bev Tang, member of the International League of Peoples' Struggle. “They are basic legitimate needs that we with the March on the DNC Coalition believes everyone across this country and the globe deserves.”

Coalition to March on the DNC groups include the Arab American Action Network, Anakbayan, Black Lives Matter – Chicago, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Chicago Committee For Human Rights in the Philippines, Federacion de Clubes Michoacanos en Illinois, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, League of United Latin American Citizens, Little Village Lawndale High School FightBack!, Malaya Chicago, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, Pueblo Sin Fronteras/Familia Latina Unida, Students for a Democratic Society at UIC, Starbucks Workers United Chicago, and the US Palestinian Community Network.^[1]

Endorsees

The following organizations endorse the Coalition to March on the DNC: As of February 20 2020.

Allies

In September 2019 Freedom Road Socialist Organization/FightBack!, Young People's Resistance Committee, Students for a Democratic Society - Parkside, Wisconsin Bail Out The People Movement, Party for Socialism and Liberation - Milwaukee, Welfare Warriors, and Legal Me Up agreed be a part of the Coalition to March on the DNC.^[3]

Gathering UNAC support

Lana Akindes and Kellie Lutz of the Coalition to March on the DNC speak with an attendee of the United National Antiwar Coalition conference in New York City

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In February 2020 organizers with the Milwaukee-based Coalition to March on the DNC attended the national conference of the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC), to build support for a major protest at the Democratic National Convention in July.

The Coalition to March on the DNC is a broad coalition of left and progressive forces who plan to bring popular demands to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, slated to take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The march will be held on the opening morning of the convention, Monday, July 13.

“All eyes will be on Milwaukee when the people’s movements protest outside the DNC as it takes place at the Fiserv Forum, July 13 through July 16, 2020. The Coalition calls on all progressive, left, democratic and socialist organizations to join us in unity,” said Omar Flores, spokesperson for the Coalition.

UNAC is celebrating its 10th anniversary as the leading U.S. anti-war coalition, with its fifth national conference taking place February 21-23. Representatives from nearly 60 organizations from across the country attended Friday’s opening panel, titled “Opposing Imperialist Wars,” which featured Bahman Azad of the U.S. Peace Council, Bernadette Ellorin of Filipina-American organization BAYAN-USA, and Camilo Mejia, a Nicaraguan-American who became a prisoner of conscience for refusing U.S. military deployment during the Iraq War. The panel was moderated by longtime anti-war and labor activist Joe Lombardo.

The Coalition to March on the DNC has already received dozens of endorsements from groups across the country, many of which are planning to travel to Milwaukee for the protest.^[4]

First meeting

The first meeting for the Coalition to March on the DNC took place on the evening of October 11 2019, concluding with a demonstration and rally. The coalition is comprised of many progressive activist groups united around nine demands - or points of unity - that serve as a basis and also a guide to action. Some of these points are “Legalization for all; no more deportations” and “Fight to expand union and worker rights.”

The coalition plans to march during the Democratic National Convention next July. Though a request for a permit to march has been submitted, the coalition is still awaiting a response from the city of Milwaukee. It has been months since the request was made. The coalition is prepared to pressure them on the issue.

The meeting itself was brief. It began at Milwaukee’s City Hall to discuss the points of unity as well as a set of principles designed to keep the coalition cohesive over the coming months. Around 40 activists from a variety of groups across Milwaukee and the broader Wisconsin and Midwest areas were in attendance.

After the meeting, coalition members took to the sidewalks, walking alongside a portion of the proposed route they hope to march in July. There were a number of chants reflecting the points of unity, as well as the frustration over the delayed permits. They chanted “What do we want? Permits! When do we want them? Now!”

The demonstration finished at Dontre Hamilton (or Red Arrow) Park, where several speakers voiced their support of the coalition, as well as their anger with the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party’s actions. Many speakers also touched on the specific conditions of Milwaukee, from the increasing police budget to the lack of urgency to address the city’s lead water pipes.

Ryan Hamann, one of the lead organizers of the Coalition and member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, stated, “The purpose of our action here today was to bring our people together and show the city that we mean business.”

“Mayor Barrett and the city of Milwaukee are quick to roll out the red carpet for the rich and powerful while putting up roadblocks for activists here,” Hamann continued. “Milwaukee is our town and we’re going to march whether the city government permits us to or not.”^[5]

References

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