| NEW information about workshops & events open to public below... **Conference is A FEW DAYS AWAY! ***Post far & wide... REGISTER ON-LINE TODAY: http://www.ydsusa.org/confs/nyc_0305.html WHEN BUSH COMES TO SHOVE: Youth Organizing Against Right-Wing & Corporate Power March 11-13 New York City Click here to register: http://dsausa.org/yds/confreg.html New conference flyer: www.ydsusa.org/confs//confs/when_bush_comes_to_shove.pdf>PDF The Young Democratic Socialists (YDS) are hosting a national conference in New York City from March 11-13. entitled "When Bush Comes to Shove: Youth organizing Against Right-Wing and Corporate Power." It will bring together activists from across the country for workshops, trainings, great speakers, partying and more. Those who attend "When Bush Comes to Shove" will come away with valuable skills and concrete resources for campus and community organizing, a deeper understanding of systems of oppression and exploitation, a vision of the better world we are struggling to create every day, and strategies for beating the Bush agenda of corporate greed, endless war, intolerance and cutbacks in needed public programs. WORKSHOPS, TRAININGS & ENTERTAINMENT Conference sessions will cover critical topics ranging from feminist politics, challenging right-wing propaganda, linking struggles through multi-issues organizing, student-labor solidarity, the nuts and bolts of grassroots activism and more (other workshop topics and other highlights listed below). Workshops and panels will feature activists and trainers working in trade unions, in the peace movement, in social justice student organizations, as noted progressive scholars, and other voices from the democratic left. ************************************************************* EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (registration to full conference not required) ************************************************************* Resisting the Right-Wing Opening plenary: 7-9pm Friday, March 11th (see "locations" section below) -with- Frances Fox Piven- Distinguished sociologist, author of The War at Home: The Domestic Costs of Bush's Militarism and Honorary Chair of the Democratic Socialists of America; Ian Williams- U.N. correspondent for The Nation magazine, author of Deserter: George Bush's War on Military Families, Veterans, and His Past and The U.N. for Beginners Hany Khalil- Organizing Coordinator of United for Peace and Justice, War Times contributor "Marx in Soho" - A play written by Howard Zinn Play performance: 5-6:30pm Saturday, March 12th (see "locations" section below) -featuring- Bob Weick as Karl Marx. Directed and designed by John Doyle "(Weick) captured Marx and his ideas with the proper strength and subtlety, moving very effectively through a range of moods: humorous,angry, poignant. We admired Weick's transitions, change of pace, the nuances of feeling. In short, I are very happy with what you've done. He (John Doyle) directed the play brilliantly." -Howard Zinn (Author of Marx in Soho and A People's History of The United States) (The above events are $5-$10 suggested donation at the door if not registered for whole conference, no one will be turned away.) OTHER CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS (partial list of workshops and trainings) Democratic Socialism: History, Theory & Practice with: Joseph Schwartz- Chair, Dept. of Political Science, Temple University and Chair, Steering Committee of the Democratic Socialists of America; Leticia Benedet- Gender Equality Secretary, Young Socialists of Uruguay; Feminist Coordinator of the Americas, International Union of Socialist Youth Iraq, U.S. Foreign Policy & the Peace Movement with: Joanne Landy- New Politics editorial board and Co-Director of the Campaign for Peace and Democracy; John Mason- Professor of Politics at William Paterson University, Board of Directors of the Socialist Scholars Conference and of the Institute for Transitions to Democracy Understanding Capitalism with: Paddy Quick- founding member of the Union for Radical Political Economics' (U.R.P.E.) Women's Caucus; Frank Roosevelt- U.R.P.E. member, co-editor of Why Market Socialism?: Voices from Dissent Left-Wing Media: A Panel Discussion with: Maxine Phillips- editor of Dissent; Ken Worcester- editor of New Politics; and Tracie McMillan- managing editor of City Limits Inter-generational Activist Dialogue with: Steve Max- former leader in Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Director of Organizing and Training, Midwest Academy, in addition to others activists. Counter-Military Recruitment: A Training for Youth Activists with: Steve Teberge and Molly Birnbaum of the War Resisters League's Youth & Counter-Militarism Program International Solidarity & the Global Justice Movement with: Mark Engler- Commentator for Foreign Policy in Focus, journalist for www.democracyuprising.com; Jessica Shearer- SEIU and Feminist Working Group Coordinator, International Union of Socialist Youth SCHEDULE The conference opens with a plenary discussion on Friday at 7pm (March 11th), followed by a reception with snacks and refreshments. After registration and breakfast, Saturday sessions will begin promptly at 10am and go until the early evening performance of Marx in Soho. There will be a free party open to all conference-goers Saturday night. On Sunday, there will be interactive skills trainings and a closing session in mid-afternoon. Registration tables will be open at 6pm on Friday and 9am on Saturday. A more detailed schedule can be found here: http://www.ydsusa.org/confs/nyc_0305.html LOCATIONS The Friday opening plenary and registration will be located at American Federation of Musicians - Local 802, 322 West 48th Street (between 8th & 9th Aves). Subway: A/C/E to Port Authority/42 St. or N/Q/R/S/W/1/2/3/7/9 to Times Sq/42 St. Saturday and Sunday activities will be located at the Bayard Rustin High School for the Humanities located at 351 West 18th Street (between 8th & 9th Aves). Subway: 1/9 to 18th St. or A/C/E/L to 14th St./8th Ave. TRAVEL & HOUSING We're committed to ensuring that everyone who wants to come is able to attend. We're offering limited travel scholarships and housing assistance for those coming from out of town. If you are coming from out of town and are in need of a ride, let us know and we can check to see if others planning to attend in your area can offer you one. If you live in New York City, or have friends/family that can house additional conference attendees from out of town, please notify us. If you are planning to attend or have any questions send us an email at: yds@dsausa.org or fill out an on-line registration form. COST For those who register after March 4th, the conference is $30. Registration costs include free breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, the reception after Friday evening's opening plenary, the Saturday early evening performance of Howard Zinn's play, Marx in Soho, and extensive resource materials provided to all conference participants. Please contact us if you have special financial circumstances. No one should be prevented from attending because of financial constraints. SPRING BREAK? For many of you in school, March 11 marks the beginning of your spring semester vacation. Please keep this in mind when planning your trip to New York, as you will probably not need to rush back to campus once the YDS conference is over. The timing is perfect. "When Bush Comes To Shove" can be part of your alternative, socialist spring break! For those planning to stay in New York City beyond March 13th, we can let you know of other cultural and political events and sites of interest to young leftists around the city. Click here to register for "When Bush Comes to Shove": http://dsausa.org/yds/confreg.html See you in NYC from March 11-13! Our "Life After Bush" conference last year brought over 300 people to NYC for a number of workshops, trainings and great speakers like Cornel West, Leslie Cagan, Doug Henwood and more. See the report from last year's national conference: www.ydsusa.org/confs/nyc_0204_report.html Young Democratic Socialists |