By Leo P.
“We must recognize that we can’t solve our problem now until there is a radical redistribution of economic and political power… this means a revolution of values and other things. We must see now that the evils of racism, economic exploitation and militarism are all tied together… you can’t really get rid of one without getting rid of the others… the whole structure of American life must be changed. America is a hypocritical nation and [we] must put [our] own house in order.”
– Martin Luther King Jr., Report to SCLC Staff, May 1967.
January 20th was a cold day. Trump’s inauguration was the most depressing news of the occasion, but that did not let us despair. There was a beautiful wave of solidarity within the New Haven Green during the freezing afternoon. Connecticut DSA joined organizations such as the Semilla Collective, Party for Socialism & Liberation, Yalies4Palestine as well as Yale Graduate Students for Palestine, Socialist Alternative, Healthcare Workers for Palestine, and others in protest. The rough conditions and the occasional technical difficulties did not hamper the good nature of the rally.
This rally, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr Day, embodied the spirit of Dr. King’s struggle: a harmonic, collective union of conscious human beings standing on the right side of history. Being a part of history starts at the grassroots: to know that one’s purpose in life involves being acquainted with your community and socializing with the fellow members of said community. One must never forget where one comes from nor what their place in life is. One must always seek to live a life filled with dignity and freedom.
Palestine was an important throughline in the rally, not only highlighting the world’s injustices harkened by a corrupt global political and economic system, but also uniting people of all backgrounds to fight for a singular social cause that any oppressed person or group can recognize themselves in.
Another major topic of discussion was trans liberation, particularly in response to the Trump administration spending $215,000,000 on advertisements that spread anti-trans sentiment and other queerphobic forms of propaganda. Several trans speakers from all kinds of backgrounds drew the connections between transphobia and capitalism, racism, the return of the far right in mainstream politics, and the genocide of Palestinians being committed by Israel in Gaza.
Mexican, Black, and Indigenous speakers emphasized the need for solidarity and the failures of the current system. In particular, Indigenous and Native American activists celebrated the recent commutation of Leonard Peltier, American Indian Movement activist and long-time political prisoner, while emphasizing the necessity of a Land Back horizon.
An educator also spoke about the war being waged on American public schooling and education by the Republican Party nationwide.
People of all colors, creeds, cultural heritages, and religions spoke their minds about the incoming administration and how the ongoing failures of the system affect them materially.
In the spirit of Raoul Vaneigem, I was participating in a ‘Revolution of my Everyday Life’ simply by socializing with such kind hearted folks at the rally. A man who noticed I was shivering while frantically holding a picket sign asked me if I wanted some hand warmers to put inside of my gloves, and a cup of coffee. I responded yes and he assisted me in the spirit of mutual aid. I felt first hand the wave of solidarity.
Free Palestine, Free Congo, Free Sudan, Free Chiapas, Free the African Motherland, Free all Diasporas, Free The Māori, Free the Aboriginals, Free the workers, and Free all other oppressed peoples of the world!