UMB International Socialist Organization

2012-02-14T12:31:00.005-05:00

UMass Boston International Socialist Organization
What is "INTERNATIONAL SOCIALISM"?
Read and discuss our "Where We Stand Packet"
and find out more about the I.S.O.!

Come with any questions!
Thursday Feb 16th 7:00 PM
Wheatley Hall 1st Floor Room 030

Download the packet at http://bit.ly/umbisointro

http://umass-socialism.blogspot.com
Like us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/umb.socialists

You may have checked out one of our meetings... you may have seen us at a table in the Campus Center talking to people about socialism... Still you might be wondering, what is the International Socialist Organization? How are we different from other socialist groups you may have seen? This meeting will be a perfect opportunity for you to come ask questions and get involved. In preparation for the meeting, please read the "Where We Stand" packet, which gives a great overview of the organization and our politics.

2012-02-02T09:16:00.003-05:00

A public forum hosted by the UMB International Socialist Organization
Why the 99% should run society...
THE CASE FOR SOCIALISM

February 9th, 3:30pm

Point View Lounge, 3rd Floor Campus Center

From the Arab Spring to the American Fall, people around the world have begun organizing in opposition to a system of war, inequality, racism, sexism, homophobia, dictatorship, and alienation. The idea that another world is possible is now on the minds of millions around the globe.

Yet there are some serious challenges. The Egyptian military and the movement in Tahrir Square battles over what comes next after Mubarak and governments across the United States and Europe try to figure out ways to silence those who stand up to the 1% and their plans for austerity.

We think there needs to be a revolution to bring about a new society. A society based in our power as workers and students, run democratically from the bottom up. But to win that society, we need to organize and figure out how to turn a society run by and for the 1% into one that is run by and for the 99%.

Come hear why our current system is unsustainable, what the alternative is, and how to get there on February 9th at 3:30 PM in the Campus Center 3rd Floor in the Point View Lounge.

In preparation for our open discussion, kicked off by a member of the International Socialist Organization, feel free to read the following 3-part series on what socialism would look like:

A Crying Need for Change: http://socialistworker.org/2010/07/20/crying-need-for-change
Workers Power in Action: http://socialistworker.org/2010/07/21/workers-power-in-action
Dreaming of our Future: http://socialistworker.org/2010/07/22/dreaming-of-our-future

2012-01-23T18:52:00.001-05:00

'Occupy UMass-Boston' Begins Permanent Encampment!

The 24-hour encampment occupation of the University of Massachusetts - Boston (the only public unversity left in the entire city), began this morning, January 23, at approximately 8am!

PLEASE JOIN US TONITE FOR A FULL OUT MOBILIZATION TO DEFEND THE THREAT OF EVICTION OF THE UMB ENCAMPMENT!!! RALLY AT 8PM at UMASS BOSTON! SPREAD THE WORD!

Our generation is witnessing a global movement of resistance against attacks from the 1% on working people.

“Education is a right, not a privilege”

“Education for the 99%”

“UMass for the Working Class"

Join the conversation:
Twitter — https://twitter.com/OccupyUMB
Tumblr — http://occupyumb.tumblr.com/
FaceBook — http://www.facebook.com/OccupyUMB
LiveStream — http://www.livestream.com/occupyUMB
Gmail — OccupyUMB@gmail.com

2011-12-24T17:02:00.003-05:00

THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST ORGANIZATION'S

WINTER BREAK READING SERIES

"Revolutionary Organization

and Lessons from Revolution”

2011 was an amazing year, full of revolutions and resistance... 2012 should be even bigger! Global revolt and revolution has swept the globe, but questions still remain. How do we organize ourselves to transform society? What does a successful revolution look like? What is the role of a revolutionary socialist party? Over the winter break, join the ISO in reading and discussing the following selections.

By arming ourselves with the theory and history of class struggle, we can truly challenge the power of the 1%!

Group Discussion Dates TBA... Get started reading early!

Marxism and the Party (John Molynieux)

http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/Marxism-and-the-Party

Author John Molynieux examines the contributions of several Marxist revolutionaries to the development of socialist organization. How should the Party relate to the broader movement or working class? What kind of democracy or centralism do we want within the Party? These questions, and more, will be taken up – all with an emphasis on practical, real world application for today.

Trotsky's Marxism (Duncan Hallas)

http://www.marxists.org/archive/hallas/works/1979/trotsky/index.htm (free download)

http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/Trotskys-Marxism-and-Other-Essays

Author Duncan Hallas provides an excellent introduction to the politics of Leon Trotsky, a leading Russian revolutionary and Marxist theoretician. How should socialists work with other political forces? How can the 99% of every country take part in the fight for human liberation? Learning the politics of Trotsky arms today's revolutionaries with a wealth of knowledge to transform our world.

The Bolsheviks Come to Power (Alexander Rabinowitch) – Selected Chapters TBD

http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/Bolsheviks-Come-to-Power

An insightful examination of the 1917 Russian Revolution, author Alexander Rabinowitch doesn't just give a basic history. Exploring the changing situation and aspirations of workers, soldiers, and Baltic fleet sailors in Petrograd, Rabinowitch’s classic account reveals the critical link between the Bolshevik Party’s revolutionary tactics and the Petrograd masses. Every socialist and radical should read this book – within it contains innumerable lessons for those interested in seriously challenging the 1%.

All books can be purchased from the ISO District. Please e-mail morrill.chris@gmail.com if you need any of the following titles!

THIS THURSDAY! "What's Next for Occupy" and "Berkeley in the 60s"

2011-12-13T17:20:00.005-05:00

WHAT'S NEXT FOR OCCUPY & THE ROLE OF THE I.S.O.

PLUS

"BERKELEY IN THE 60s" Film Screening

THURSDAY, DEC 15TH, 7 PM

CAMPUS CENTER 3RD FLOOR

ROOM 3315 (LOOK FOR SIGNS BY STUDENT CLUBS)

2011 has been a year of global resistance. From the Arab Spring to the American Fall, people around the world have begun organizing against a system based on war, inequality, and oppression. The idea that another world is possible is now on the minds of millions around the globe.

Join us to discuss the next steps for the Occupy movement and the importance of the I.S.O. in this new era of class struggle. Then afterwards, celebrate the end of the semester with a movie showing about the political struggles in Berkeley, CA in the 1960s.

Proposed Agenda:

1) What's Next for Occupy and the Role of the I.S.O.: 45 Mins

2) "Berkeley in the 60s" Film Showing: 90 Mins

Fri, 12/16, "Pack the courtroom! Stand with Occupy Boston activists facing charges!"

2011-12-13T00:03:00.000-05:00

Friday, December 16th, 8am-11am

Boston Municipal Court
24 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA (see map)

On October 11, 141 protesters in Occupy Boston were arrested on the Rose Kennedy Greenway for seeking to expand the encampment beyond Dewey Square. Twenty protesters are still facing the charges of Unlawful Assembly and Trespassing.

Stand with those facing charges. By expanding the Occupy Boston camp and building the movement, these protesters did nothing wrong. That the city is prosecuting Occupy Boston protesters is part of a nationwide attack on our movement through police repression. Meanwhile, no corporate or bank executives are being charged for their crimes in putting generations of people in debt, gambling with our futures, laying off workers and foreclosing on our homes.

At 8:15, there will be a press conference in front of the court. The hearing begins at 9. This is not the trial, but rather a preliminary hearing to determine the course of the trial. We are asking for you to sit with us in support. Our movement must defend itself.

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Thurs, 12/8, Forum, "From Global Revolt to Revolution: How do we get from here to there?" & Come DEFEND OCCUPY BOSTON!

2011-12-07T21:55:00.004-05:00

Then Join Us After the Meeting
As We Go to Dewey Sq to
DEFEND OCCUPY BOSTON!

Today, Mayor Menino released a statement giving Occupy Boston a mid night dead line to close down the encampment at Dewey Sq. Menino is following in the foot step of Democratic Mayors across the U.S. who have showed their loyalty to protect and serve the 1% and their willingness to squelch the resistance of the 99%. But this resistance hasn't been isolated to Occupy Boston---2011 has been a year of global resistance. From the Arab Spring to the American Fall, people around the world have begun organizing in opposition to a system of war, inequality, racism, sexism, homophobia, dictatorship, and alienation. The idea that another world is possible is now on the minds of millions around the globe.

Yet there are also challenges. The Egyptian military and the movement in Tahrir Square battles over what comes next after Mubarak. And governments across the United States and Europe try to figure out ways to silence those who stand up to the banks and their plans for austerity. Mayor Menino brought that state violence home to Boston by giving his eviction orders.

We think there needs to be a revolution to bring about a new society, based in our power as workers, run democratically from the bottom up. But to win that society, we need to organize and figure out how to turn a society run by and for the 1% into one that is run by and for the 99%. But how do we get from here to there? With the impending eviction of Occupy Boston--and the evictions we've witnessed around the country-- this question takes on a renewed significance. Please join us for this important discussion then come with dozens of socialists and radicals as we down to Dewey Sq to DEFEND OCCUPY BOSTON!

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