Sunday, June 28, 12noon-2pm, Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St.

If you are a socialist, worker, union member, or community member, join us at this rally in support of the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement!

We must take a stand against working with police, especially after their continued excessive violence against protesters. And, we cannot trust in establishment politicians or the lip service they pay to the movement.

We need to keep the momentum of these mass protests going in order to win true justice by building working-class solidarity and union support.

Featured Speakers:

• Kyra H.: Columbus Socialist Alternative member and Black Lives Matter protester speaking on the protests so far and concrete next steps

• Andrew L.: Columbus Socialist Alternative member and Black Lives Matter protester speaking on the importance of multiracial and working-class solidarity

Columbus Socialist Alternative supports the demands put out by black-led organizations like BQIC and Columbus Freedom Coalition. In addition, we call for:

1. An Injury to One Is an Injury to All: Unions should fully mobilize their memberships to the protests, build solidarity contingents and mobilize their resources to protect the protests, and lay plans for a one-day general strike.

2. Release all records and bodycam footage: Columbus Police records on excessive force and bodycam footage must immediately be released to the public.

3. Community and Workplace Councils: Organize democratic community and workplace councils to discuss next steps, protect against the threat of emboldened vigilante violence, and distribute aid and resources to community members and protesters. Community safety committees with democratically elected and accountable leadership can serve as an alternative to policing.

4. Support Workplace Solidarity: Allow workers to take collective action in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and immediately rehire any workers fired or suspended for acting in solidarity.

5. No Trust in Mayor Ginther or police department: Launch an elected community-led restructuring of the police department, including an elected independent civilian board with real teeth, including over hiring, firing, reviewing budget priorities, and the power to subpoena. Mayor Ginther and Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan must go!

6. Defund the Police and Fund Our Communities: Police violence is part and parcel of the capitalist system, which rests on structural racism and inequality. Defund the Columbus Police Department by at least 50%, tax the rich, and end corporate tax handouts/abatements, and reinvest those funds towards a green jobs program, public education, permanently affordable social housing, and other social programs.

7. We Need a New Party: Recalling Ginther will do nothing if he is replaced by another establishment politician. Democratic mayors and governors have done nothing to adequately address racist police violence. We need a new independent party that truly represents the interests of workers and oppressed people.

8. The Whole System is Guilty: Malcolm X said: “You can’t have capitalism without racism.” The capitalist system depends on racism to divide the working class, and on a police state to defend the ruling class. In order to abolish the police and have lasting change in the fight against racism, we must struggle against capitalism itself.

Hosted by Columbus Socialist Alternative.