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2024: THIS MUST BE OUR YEAR—A YEAR OF REVOLUTION

The $27,694 raised is what we needed to step off in 2024… and much more is needed.

Updated

Major funds are needed:

…to spread The Bob Avakian Interviews on The RNL—Revolution, Nothing Less!—Show

…to enable the Revcoms (revolutionary communists) to seize the opening for revolution

...to allow agitators and organizers to travel to where things are the hottest

...to challenge people in the ways they need to be challenged

…to support and promote the invaluable RNL—Revolution, Nothing Less! Show on YouTube … 

…to sustain the revolutionary media on revcom.us.

Voices from Donors and Supporters:

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Here are inspiring statements from a range of donors received for the January 7 fundraising Livestream! 

2024—A Critical Juncture and a Critical Challenge

$3,000 Matching Challenge for the January 7 Livestream—Line up donations now!

We are a group of supporters with different levels of agreement with BA’s analysis of the possibilities of an actual revolution in the coming period, but who are deeply united in our agreement about the necessity of such a revolution.

We have come together to pledge to match up to $3,000.00 in a matching “two for one” pledge. This means we will contribute $2 for every $1 contributed towards matching this pledge. In other words, if other people’s contributions total $1500, we will contribute $3,000.00 for a grand total of $4,500. 

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We do this with an acute sense of the critical juncture we are at and BA’s challenge that:

“Everything depends on bringing forward a revolutionary people, from among the most bitterly oppressed, and all parts of society, first in the thousands and then in the millions, as a powerful revolutionary force, organized from the start and consistently with a country-wide perspective, impacting all of society and changing the terms of how masses of people see things and how every institution has to respond. Everything must be focused now on actually bringing forward and organizing this revolutionary force.”

We have also been struggling with the fact that we are entering what shapes up as this critical year of struggle leading into the 2024 elections, and we are not where we need to be in terms of bringing forward the forces for revolution OR in carrying out Point 5 of REVOLUTION: BUILDING UP THE BASIS TO GO FOR THE WHOLE THING, WITH A REAL CHANCE TO WIN: STRATEGIC ORIENTATION AND PRACTICAL APPROACH—

“As a crucial part of the Three Prepares, the revolutionary communist leadership for the revolution, based on the new communism, must be greatly strengthened, with the Revolutionary Communist Party systematically built up as the overall leadership, with a growing core of strategic commanders of the revolution and the expanding ranks of the Party clearly oriented, prepared and organized to lead the whole revolutionary process.”

There is still time and BA has identified the method and process involved where revolutionary forces could grow exponentially in a relatively short period—but if we are to have a shot at achieving these goals, the revolutionaries who are now working tirelessly towards this end must have the resources to be able to dive into EVERY situation that arises and which holds the potential to unleash those forces for revolution with all the tools required to fight tooth and nail to bring forward the emancipatory future brought forward by BA and the revolutionary road necessary to accomplish it. This means funds to promote the historic interviews with Bob Avakian and to get them out into EVERY corner of society, funds to improve the already incredible Revolution, Nothing Less! Show, funds so that revolutionaries can travel to wherever there are critical outbreaks of resistance or struggle.

There will be opportunities—the nature of the capitalist-imperialist system guarantees that. The question is whether the forces for revolution will be able to take advantage of them, transforming sentiments of outrage and anguish into a revolutionary determination to seize this moment. Raising the funds is a revolutionary act in itself but raising these funds is also a powerful way of “having the back” of those in a position to dive into these moments with everything they and we need to succeed.

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A $1640 Matching Challenge from Texas: Let’s Put Revolution on the Map!

This challenge is written by a participant in a group of revcoms and supporters who gathered recently near the banks of Houston’s White Oak Bayou on a beautiful autumn Sunday, to celebrate and remember the life of a comrade known as Frances who recently died after a long struggle with declining health.

As one person said, Frances had a remarkable life. She was institutionalized before she turned three, as were her mother and father. She was put in an orphanage in the Bronx, and then sent to a series of abusive foster homes. She was on her own before she finished eighth grade and fell into shooting drugs.

After years of living on the streets of New York, she decided to seek a new life in Los Angeles. The one place she wanted to stop on the way there was Port Arthur, Texas—Janis Joplin’s hometown. But she ran out of money in Port Arthur, and had to stop in nearby Houston, to try to earn enough for the rest of her trip. By pure coincidence, she happened to run into some supporters of the RCP, who challenged her to get with the revolution.

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Frances said she “Fanshened” (transformed) after she met the party. She soon was studying material by Bob Avakian and other communist leaders. She became a relentless and courageous fighter for international communist revolution. She was one of the three people who tore the U.S. and Texas flags off the roof of the Alamo and raised the red flag of revolution over that hated symbol of oppression in 1980.

She not only changed the course and content of her life—she led and inspired many others as she developed into a follower of Bob Avakian, and a revolutionary leader herself. She challenged people to themselves become emancipators of humanity. One participant in the celebration of Frances’s life, an immigrant man from South Asia, wrote, “Frances was always an inspiration to me. She was a steadfast revolutionary fighter, never wavering in her resolve and determination to fight for the emancipation of humanity. She was an ardent follower of Bob Avakian, and his vision of a far better world, as envisaged in the New Communism. At the same time, she was a patient listener, very gentle and caring; a true embodiment of ‘largeness of heart and generosity of spirit.’ I don't remember ever seeing her without a genuine smile. We will definitely miss her.”

Her life reminded us all of Bob Avakian’s conviction that masses of people truly can become scientific, revolutionary leaders. Imagine if word of this revolution reached more people like Frances, people for whom the future might seem especially grim, but who learn that there is a world to win, not just for themselves, but for all of humanity.

We are sending in this $1,640 contribution to that great cause, in honor of our beloved comrade, and challenging others who dream of a new, and far better world, to match and surpass it, and to take up and fight for revolution, and the New Communism brought forward by Bob Avakian.

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As we go into 2024, this revolution is needed more than ever

I’m Juanita Young, mother of Malcolm Ferguson who was murdered by a NY cop in March of 2000. My son's murder devastated me, but I fought thru the pain and sorrow and became active fighting for justice for my son and for all the other people who have been murdered by the police. This is how I met the Revcoms more than 20 years ago. They were always out there standing with the people who were fighting against injustice, not just around police killing people, but also for abortion rights, in support of people in Palestine, everything. And they always told me and everybody else that we needed a revolution to get rid of the system that causes all these horrors.

As we go into 2024, this revolution is needed more than ever. And that means that people who don’t want to see all this suffering keep on happening have to get involved in the revolution and support the revolution. That’s why I donate to the Revcoms whenever I can. So I am donating $1000 during this Livestream, and I challenge everybody who wants to see police murder ended, everybody who wants to see all the shit this system does to people ended once and for all, to join me in donating to the Revcoms.

$2000 Challenge—BA’s Leadership Is Precious to US

This match of $2000 is from veteran supporters who have followed the writings and talks of Bob Avakian for decades. We haven’t always agreed, but over time we’ve learned from the unfolding of actual events that almost all of his analyses have been scientifically based and correct, and when proven to be wrong, he not only admits his mistakes, but digs deeply into why he made the mistake and shares it publicly. His scientific methodology has guided us and helped us maintain a vision of revolution, even when all outward appearances have been that it is impossible. BA’s leadership is precious to us.

When BA’s Call to Get Organized NOW for a Real Revolution came out in 2021 it caused a lot of questioning among us but when he followed it up with “Something Terrible, OR Something Truly Emancipating,” it seriously challenged us to fight to recognize the openings that may unfold and fight for revolution, regardless of our questions. While we still have some differences amongst us around the possibility of a revolution in this period, we are firm in uniting around revolution as the only solution worth fighting for. We are limited in the possibilities of what we can do, but one thing each of us can do is contribute financially. 

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As 2024 begins, many of the people we talk with believe that “Something Terrible” is inevitable but far too few have even heard of BA’s vision of revolution, the possibility of a liberating future, or how this is one of those rare times such a revolution becomes possible. 

We are seriously behind, but have resources like BA’s interviews, the RNL Show, the revcom website, a concrete vision and plan put forward in the Constitution for the New Socialist Republic in North America and much more that can put us in a much better position—if we spread them broadly. We have leaders who can get these materials into the hands of people, agitate, and challenge them to join this revolution. All of that takes funds now, before it’s too late.

This match challenge is a call to everyone who refuses to accept the inevitability of a terrible future for humanity and the planet, and to instead be part of fighting for something truly emancipating by contributing generously. 

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From a medical professional

I am giving $1000 to the revcoms fundraiser because as a follower of BA and now a member of "healthcare workers for Palestine" I hear and feel the agony of many of the members of this group as they. watch in shock and horror at the genocide in Gaza and they see that the US and Israel are committing crimes against humanity. However, they do not understand why the democrats will not call for a permanent ceasefire; why the US continues to supply bombs for the savage slaughter of Palestinians; why Claudine Gay was ousted from Harvard University as she was and they do not want to vote for Genocide Joe or Fascist Trump. I am in struggle with them because BA gives us the science to understand what this is all about and why is it only revolution that can get humanity out of this hellhole. The revcoms put their lives on the line for this struggle and I will continue to support the only hope there is for a world fit for human beings.

From an Iranian living in the belly of the beast, follower of the New Synthesis of Communism: 

No human being should live or tolerate a horrible life anywhere in the world. The world should be a place for people to live and develop intellectually and pursue their dreams, without all the wars of empire for power and profit; a world that Bob Avakian envisions the possibility of, with the new science of communism. I am contributing what I can, with the hope and understanding that, to get to a different and a beautiful world we should contribute and do what we can, to materialize that vision, an emancipated world, without oppression and inequality. This is the future humanity needs and we must pave the way for a new generation who will experience a life worth living. 

Raising funds is an integral part of the revolutionary movement.

Our movement for revolution and socialism need people, we need leadership from the people, and we need donations and support for fundraising from the people.

Just as people need funds for their day-to-day needs, fundraising is needed to carry out the important tasks connected with making the struggle for revolution.

Building our movement with people focused on overturning the system of capitalism-imperialism, along with raising funds to maintain and build this movement, these are two important parts of the struggle we must take up.

Today during the livestream, we can do both. We can step up and become part of this movement, and we also can and must dig deep and donate

Let’s do it!

Get ready!

I’ve donated before and will keep doing so until we are all free, will you?

From a daughter of immigrants and a recent college graduate. She has been engaging the BA Interviews over the last year. More recently, she has been compelled to be out in the streets against the genocide in Gaza:

“The world has been more on fire than ever these past several years, and revolution is needed now more than ever. Instead of the usual “head down, chin up” way of dealing with the current economic system and just doing one’s best to beat the system by playing its game, it is in everyone’s best interest to fight for a new system entirely, one where everyone’s basic needs are fulfilled and no one is oppressed. We can only chase this much-needed revolution if we donate what we can and learn more about Bob Avakian’s scientific formula to beat oppression and the horror late-stage capitalism has brought upon us all. I’ve donated before and will keep doing so until we are all free, will you?”

Donate Because WE NEED A CHANGE

When I first saw Revolution Books I said, “What is THAT about?” Then when I came to some of the discussions and started watching Bob Avakian, I saw there are people talking about what you've been thinking about, about why is the world and the U.S. going so crazy. I saw when we went downtown [to the special theater screening of selections from The Bob Avakian Interviews] how BA has been around for a long time and touched a lot of people; he opened up this communication with all kinds of people... he's connecting across the U.S. and making this movement stronger. Donate because WE NEED A CHANGE and a lot of people need to know about Bob Avakian and the revolution!

Hi RevComs:

This is a donation for the benefit of the January 2024 Livestream for the RevComs.

(Please accept this as part of the matching challenge going on)

We are in a critical period where we are watching an ongoing genocide take place against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the U.S./EU, as well as the danger of fascism here and around the world. We need a third pole where people don’t have to settle for religious fundamentalists like Hamas who do not have a liberatory program, nor is it the “tail wags the dog” thinking that there is a “Jewish lobby,” nor do we have to go along with genocide and other crimes. These crimes stem from the capitalist-imperialist system that we live under. So many people are disappointed and disillusioned by Genocide Joe Biden who is the representative of the capitalist imperialist system that we live under, nor do we have to settle for the Amerikkkan Hitler, Trump who presents an ever greater danger of fascism coming to the fore in the U.S. with horrendous consequences for humanity and the planet if this trajectory is not changed. 

From Texas—$930 donation

Busking and Selling Keffiyehs to Put Revolution on the Map

We’re sending $930, raised over the last few months from stores, protests and tables. Many, whose hearts are breaking over the carnage in Gaza, are starting to look deeper—are becoming more open to revolution. So recently, we gave people a way to contribute to the revolution while supporting the people of Palestine. Our table, near an art market, included keffiyehs and also jewelry that we made. And then one of us pulled out his clarinet and started busking. Several passersby dropped dollars into the can around his waist. On that day we raised $171.

Busking and Selling Keffiyehs for Funds for the Revcoms

 

Busking and Selling Keffiyehs for Funds for the Revcoms. Photo: Special to revcom.us   

“From a Harlem friend who attended the special screening of The Bob Avakian Interviews in downtown NYC:

Bob Avakian is one to follow. He has a clearcut solution, with the revolution... Hold onto what he's saying! What strikes me most is the scientific method, because you need to know WHY and what makes something relevant, and BA lays it out. He makes it simple.”

From a neighbor of Revolution Books, NYC attending the livestream watch party:

"I want to see change. I’m just tired at the way things are."

From someone who watched Part 1of the BA Interviews and donated $65: 

“I am more convinced that we’re at a moment where change is needed and that it might be possible.”

From a participant at a small listening party in Detroit who donated $10 to help meet the matching challenge:  

“I’m donating to support the fundraiser so the RevComs can give the people advice and guidance about how to get past the problems they have, in their cities and towns. So people can get educated to the truth, and also in the schools.”

The following statements came in response to a call for donors to express their thoughts on why they donate to put revolution on the map. We very much welcome additional statements.  (Earlier statements from people about the Bob Avakian Interviews are here.)

From a Political Psychology Graduate Student at NYU

BA presents a case that thoroughly highlights the shortcomings of the current system and offers concrete solutions for its improvement. As a young person seeking alternatives to the capitalist and imperialist system, I often was unsatisfied with the solutions presented by Democrats and self-identified communist thinkers. In contrast, BA provides a scientific pathway forward, drawing valuable lessons from both past mistakes and successes.

From Melvin Ishmael Johnson
Writer—DramaStage Qumran, veterans theatre workshop

Bob Avakian is one of the most important and advanced thinkers of our time. My old mentors taught me about people—they said, when you watch a person that you’ve first met… does their message change?  Watch Bob Avakian through the decades: he’s talking about the fall of the capitalist system and putting something new and different in its place for all of humanity.  And then the courage of Bob Avakian.  When others are afraid to speak up.  It takes courage to do what Bob Avakian is doing, and to say what he is saying, speaking the truth about what has happened and what needs to happen....

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Together we all went through the pandemic.  People were thinking “could this be the end of humanity?” But we got through it. Now what? The Ukraine, Wars, and the madness in the Middle East—led by all these capitalist powers.  A lot of people are getting a reality check.  Will humanity be thrust back into the dark ages or will we listen to Bob Avakian? I’ll be honest: I listen to Bob Avakian, but I am also tied up with the spiritual. I’m a supporter but not yet fully into the orbit of the revolutionary communists. Right now, I can and do support and will donate $100 to put revolution on the map. I encourage other progressive spiritual people, and all the other playwrights and writers to match my donation.

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72 years old... today, this statement is where I am.

Why am I a sustaining contributor to the RCP Publications, Revcoms, and The RNL Show? 1st. I agree that we need a revolution in order to bring about an end to the system of capitalism/imperialism. 2nd. Required is a scientific approach and analysis and what BA calls, “working boldly and tirelessly for the necessary political repolarization in society as a whole”—the focus of this is to bring forward an all the way revolution to emancipate all humanity and take care of the planet. The system now is polarized by elite, ruling class domination of commodities and relations with hegemonic domination, war, and manipulation. An end to this system and repolarization directed toward eco socialism with a Constitution for the New Socialist Republic of North America would systematically nurture the biosphere and pave the way toward the emancipation of all humanity.

72 years old, 55 of which I have joined the social justice and anti war struggles—today, this statement is where I am.

From a Member of the Bay Area Revolution Club

I found the Rev Club on 4th of July at a protest they were holding and was deeply inspired. FINALLY someone was speaking out about how america is not so great. It felt like everything I had been thinking and feeling were displayed on their banners and within their speeches. Not only were they serious—they had a plan! They have the leadership of Bob Avakian and a real vision of what the world could be with the Constitution for the Socialist Republic in North America. I always asked myself okay you want change... then what? How do you get there? What does it look like? How can so many good hearted people be so devastated by our current politics and policies? This was supposed to be the land of the free and NONE of us are free. That's why I donate. I donate because I believe our struggles of this time can mean something for future generations. I donate because I'm sick and tired of paying taxes that go into somebody else's pocket. I'm sick and tired of voting for politicians that never listen. I believe in Bob Avakian's scientific approach of how to get us out of this mess. If you're sick of this bullshit we're living through, you should get into this revolution and donate too.

Calling on people to donate to the revolution: the cause we are fighting for is greater than us

From a longtime supporter: 

Every time I watch The RNL Show I think “If only everyone could see this show, they would see not only the horrors that exist in this country and around the world but the need and real possibility of bringing something totally different into being. They would see the leadership provided by Bob Avakian as a way to change people’s thinking and lead people to stand up for the revolutionary change that is needed.

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As much as I am struck by the horrors that are revealed, and the causes of those horrors, I am inspired by the understanding and science that BA and the crew of The RNL Show bring each week to everything that is happening, every attack that comes down, every horror, but it doesn’t leave you there it points to what we need to do and how that could become possible. The recent RNL Show ”Bob Avakian for the liberation of Black People and the Emancipation of All Humanity” made me want to shout out to these people who discount BA because of his age or background or color of his skin and also all the people I know who politely listen to me but don’t hear me because they are so limited in their view of what is possible... Look at this leader, where he has been, what he has learned, the role he has played, what he has accomplished and the party he leads. Who else can do this? Here is our chance.

If they would see this, not just this or only this episode of The RNL Show, probably any episode, any part of the Up Close and Personal interviews with BA at least the people I am trying to reach, maybe not all those that are influenced by identity politics but the more honest I think I would not have to shout out. I think they would not politely listen. I think they would have their sights raised. 

And more to the point, if this show had the money and means to reach out to all the people who right now ARE looking to make a difference, to bring a whole new and emancipating future into being just think how they would be moved and what more could be accomplished. Our forces could multiply. So many more people could be unleashed, our chances would multiply.

We need many, many more people supporting this leader and this party, many more people donating all they can to the future of humanity, the planet and all life on it.

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Why We Donate to the Revcoms

We’ve come to believe that a revolution is necessary to put an end to the system of U.S. imperialism and its crimes against humanity. Thanks to the Revcoms and the path-breaking revolutionary leader, Bob Avakian, we understand that we are in a period of history where such a globe-shaking revolution is possible, and that there is a way to win and a clear vision of a liberating, socialist society worth fighting for. The Revcoms are putting this revolution on the map, and that’s why we support them.

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We admit to screaming in frustration (and sometimes crying) about the genocide in Gaza.  As an antidote to uncontrollable rage, we recommend the section of the Revcom website with articles and leaflets by Avakian and others exposing the imperialist lies and excuses for this crime.   On the weekly RNL (Revolution Nothing Less) Show on YouTube, Sunsara Taylor demolished the Zionist myth of a god-given right to Palestine by reading from the old-testament bible.  Also, we were very moved by a clip of Bob Avakian describing how he came to see the oppressed of the world as "my people."  There is a new film with moving testimony from black Revcoms about how they were challenged by BA to change their thinking to become revolutionaries. As you will see, The RNL Show does more than raise your understanding of the criminal nature of U.S. imperialism, it challenges you to do something to about it.

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From a longtime sustainer

Revolution is more urgent than ever. As a veteran of the Revolution, I am inspired by the beautiful youth taking the uncompromising stand of "Revolution, nothing less!" BA continues to inspire all, but particularly these young rebels. Take up the Red Flag, overturn tradition & make revolution. This is why I donate and will continue too.

Do you wanna see a free Palestine? Do you wanna see fascism here and around the world destroyed? Do you wanna see an end to the ecocide and the genocide? Do you wanna see a reversal on the nuclear clock? Do you wanna see an end to klan terror by the police? Well then donate to the most revolutionary far seeing group today, the Revcoms and their philosophy led by Bob Avakian.

 Anonymous

 From a Chicago musician, music teacher and activist

  • I really like the honesty in the statements made by the RevComs and Bob Avakian. For example, not trying to falsely claim that the movement is huge and rapidly growing, but admitting that it is starting small and the growth is only modest. The old Chinese saying, attributed to Lao Tzu, tells us that "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
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  • In my [so far] limited involvement, I have only met good-hearted people who sincerely wish for brotherhood, peace, and economic justice in the world.
  • In seriously considering a "challenge" to identify anything wrong in their messages, I realized that I couldn't poke holes in any of the assertions made by the RevComs/RNL.
  • I get the "straight dope" from RevComs/RNL, in contrast to the messages coming from some allegedly very progressive politicians that I've supported, for example claiming that they will continue to unconditionally support the barbaric genocide of the Israeli military until Hamas is eliminated. 
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Selling mango chutney to raise funds to put revolution on the map

Revcom supporters in Honolulu raised $460 by selling jars of mango chutney @ $10/jar. One supporter donated mangos from his tree. Another supporter knows how to can and invited other friends to join her for each canning session. Preparing & canning mango chutney is a long process and takes about 4 hours for a dozen jars but there's lots of time to talk, share, and laugh together as you work. 

Our canner also made a few jars of guava jam and the demand was so great that we're putting out a call for anyone with a fruit tree—tangerine, orange, guava, mango, passion fruit—or any other, to let us know. There's a big demand for homemade jams and jellies and preparing them collectively has its own rewards.

From a donor and fundraiser for the revolution

Putting revolution on the map through craft fairs.

We are a small team of people who make a variety of crafts mainly crocheted items and jewelry. Recently, we have been working to involve others who want to be part of raising funds for the revolution and have expanded to include candles, Rudolph the reindeer decorations and handmade tote bags. Everything is donated with the money raised going to the current fund drive.

December Chicago Craft Fair Fundraising - Reindeer

 

Chicago Craft Fair Fundraising - Reindeer decorations    @therevcoms

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Some of us are already sustainers of revcom.us and the Revolution Tour and are also Patrons of The RNL Show. All of these are interconnected and play a critical role in putting revolution on the map right now when there is the real possibility of actually overthrowing this system and putting a whole new economic and political system in place. However, consistent ongoing fund raising is also needed, especially in this rare time. So we go to as many craft fairs and flea markets as we can.  

Some of us are presently disabled so we can’t be out on the front lines right now, so we are doing all we can from behind the scenes. The BA interviews matter because they are an important part of promoting BA’s leadership—how he is charting a course no one else has with the new communism that can emancipate of ALL of humanity. Consequently, every person who comes by our table and all the other vendors get a palm card about the interviews and are challenged to become part of this revolution as well as encouraging them to watch The RNL Show on Thursday nights. We also have had the Constitution as well as the Declaration at our table along with the crocheted items and jewelry we were selling. We tell people if they can’t buy something they can contribute to the cause and have gotten some donations this way too.

Persistence pays off. We don’t give up when we are told there are no booths available. One place was charging $125 but after some struggle gave us a senior discount of $35 for our table. We made $260 at this venue, part of the $600 we have raised so far during this season. We will be continuing as we are already booked for a monthly craft fair at a local bar for January through April.

For the future,

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Try a Latke Fundraiser in your City!

Anti-Zionist & Pro-Palestinian Latke Fundraising for the Revolution

 

Anti-Zionist & Pro-Palestinian Latke Fundraising for the Revolution. @therevcoms   

Revcoms in Los Angeles knew Hanukkah was coming up, and had the brilliant idea to do an Anti-Zionist, Pro-Palestinian Latke Fundraiser for the revolution. We raised $153 at one location and $601 at another making that a total of $754.

How'd we do it? 

We decided to go to farmer's markets where we had done work building for the BA Interview Screening. We knew from being there previously that they are full of progressive people. 

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Arts and Crafts for the Revolution 

A small team of fundraising volunteers raised $268 this weekend at a German Christmas Market.  Sale items included hand crocheted head bands & scarves, crocheted ponchos & baby blankets, original photo cards and costume jewelry. A creative use of corks and twigs became a delightful Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer-on-a-stick decoration that delighted many. Crocheted items were the most popular item, especially the colorful $5 headbands. The creator told customers: let's ‘band’ together to change the world!-- as she handed them a palm card promoting The RNL Show and the BA Interviews with their purchase. 

Chicago Craft Fair Table December 2023

 

Chicago Craft Fair Table December 2023    @therevcoms

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Several customers remarked they were glad the palm card was responsive to the horrors Palestinians are facing. One guy in particular brought his 75-year-old aunt to the fair who originally came from Persia and northern Afghanistan. He knew the basic history of the Palestinians being shoved off their homeland and is frustrated that his friends don't understand the U.S. role there. He was very interested in following up with The RNL Show, the website and BA Interviews. These conversations were with people whom we usually don't run into so in addition to raising funds, spreading the revolution and its leadership was valuable.

This team has raised nearly $600 toward Putting Revolution on the map in 2023 in the past few weeks by going to holiday and craft fairs. Already they are making plans to replenish their stock to take out in the new year. 

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From a long time donor:

During this holiday season, or ANY season for that matter, the most significant financial contribution any of us can make is to the Revcoms and The RNL Show. Period. 

This is why:

The biggest threat to humanity and life on this planet is the imperialist system.

I have been studying “Something Terrible OR Something Truly Emancipating…” There is Something Terrible—here in this country and around the world.   Israel shut off food, water and heat in Gaza. This is not only ‘revenge’ for Hamas’ actions but an ongoing genocide, a Nakba and bloodbath of over 16,000 (not sure how many as of today), mainly women and children, an ethnic cleansing of monstrous proportions. This war to annihilate the Palestinian people is bought and paid for by the U.S. 

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I think that many can see the horror of this genocide. This assault raises questions about why the Israelis are continuing to slaughter the Palestinian people, what this has to do with the whole history of Israel, why the “democratic” U.S. is funding this, what is the real nature of the U.S., why the U.S. cannot do without their attack dog, and the expand or die nature of imperialism. This could lead to a much larger conflict in the Middle East—but could also lead to not only people coming to understand the source of this genocide but also more openness to an actual solution as the revolutionary forces raise a genuine solution to this horror. 

I have been sustaining the Revcoms and The RNL Show for a while now. It has also challenged me to go deeper and work to learn and apply a scientific approach. I urge anyone who can’t stand the world the way it is to dig into the method and approach of the New Synthesis and work to really apply this methodology and sustain this work.

Watch the interviews with BA on The RNL Show in 2022, the leadership he provides with so much humanity, science and challenge! 

When you contribute to this you can see that there is a much bigger need to expand this work so it literally reaches 1000’s and eventually millions….You can literally learn about the key questions and challenges for revolution, and learn from those actually doing this work—like Revolution Clubs in Chicago, LA and other places. There is a lot of ideological struggle on The RNL Show, like the fight against ‘woke-ism.’ 

I really like the polemics that Michelle Xai writes because they make me think. Like when she writes about skipping over the beginning of BA’s articles to get to the ‘new stuff.’ I’ve done that myself! Looking for a quick answer rather than a whole process of engaging what BA is working on and his approach to doing this. And doing this yourself.

For years I had a tendency to avoid questions that made me uncomfortable, that seemed unsolvable, while I have always wanted a different world. I avoided going deeper into the contradictions that need to be solved and what it would take to solve them. I tried to avoid the sacrifice required for that different world and going up against such a powerful system because I was scared to confront those fears.

In the book Basics, from the Writings of Bob Avakian he writes this in chapter 5 #11: 

“There is a place where epistemology and morality meet. There is a place where you have to stand and say: It is not acceptable to refuse to believe something—because it makes you feel uncomfortable. And: it is not acceptable to believe something just because it makes you feel 
comfortable.”

This raised questions to me about what is your life going to be about? Does the truth matter? Does what we do make any difference? Is the reality of what people are put through just another narrative? 

Yet I was still stuck on how you could ever go up against this system and have a chance to win. I had big questions about the possibility of revolution in this country. Then, in “Something Terrible OR Something Truly Emancipating,” BA writes: “The reality is that such a revolution can succeed, but this is possible, particularly up against powerful ruling forces, like in this country, only in rare times and circumstances. And here is a very important truth: This is one of those rare times and circumstances.”

BA says there is a possibility for revolution in these times—what does he mean? It doesn’t look like it on the surface, but I need to go deeper… I am still working to really understand how to recognize the rare time and act on it. Because the rare time has everything to do with realizing the possibility. 

Dig into the writings of Bob Avakian on revcom.us, purchase his books online or at Revolution Books. Go online watch The Revolution Nothing Less Show (revcoms) on youtube with friends, and contribute to the revcoms/rnl fund drive. To sustain the revcoms /RNL and raise funds and come up with projects with your friends and contribute!!

The holidays are a good time to watch the BA interviews with family and friends, and watch The RNL Show too.

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From a longtime donor to the Revolution on the South Side, Chicago 

I donate whenever I can to the cause of the revolution. This holiday season, you can’t find anything better to do with your money or extra change because it’s well worth spent, instead of making a monkey out of yourself spending on Christmas and other pagan holidays! Do something real for a real cause! I believe the revolution could be on the right track and I want to believe it is on the right track, and that’s why I’m making a gift today.

From a long-time sustainer on why he values BA and why others should contribute at this time.

Understanding things requires us to look at the world in ways that we are not comfortable with. Bob Avakian (BA)—the thing that makes his voice so important, it's not the voice of the crowd. His voice stands out. You need a voice that not just goes against things, but you need a voice that clearly defines and looks at things in a way that nobody else is seeing it. Too much time is being spent...we're being told there's only one way to understand history, only one thing to do and it all revolves around "our" nation and nationalism. But the voice that is not being heard consistently is the one that BA provides. He goes out there and says what people are uncomfortable with and he makes you think about other questions and things that you might otherwise pass by. What BA does is present the world as it actually is and what needs to be done.

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The reason I contribute and why others need to contribute is because we have to have voices out there and people out there that not only speak the truth but raise an understanding of what's going on in the world. Whether you agree with BA about everything is not really the point. The point is if only one view comes out people don't have a clear understanding of what's going on. We need BA's voice connecting with many, many more people. Your contributions can help the debate rage a lot more than it's going on now, and it really needs to.

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Conversation with a regular donor

Recently, I was able to talk with a regular donor to revcom and The RNL Show about how he sees the current situation in the world and the work of the revcoms and wanted to share some of his comments.

He said he continues to be impressed by The RNL Show and that it is “greatly improving”.  The show is giving people a real sense of what time it is and what needs to be called forth in this time. It feels like the party and Revolution Club are really getting a deeper understanding of the needs of the time, really getting grounded in the need for revolution and the need to take out revolution—not something else—to the masses.  It is really heartwarming to see people like Michelle and David, for example, a new generation, taking this up.

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He contrasts how they are approaching revolution straight up to the time when he became politically active in the 70’s when people did not have to break with all the pulls of society but rather were “negotiating in an imperialist environment.”  At that time, it seemed what the movement was doing was “bound by the prevailing culture” and more me, me, me vs humanity. Now the Revcoms, particularly he sees this in the Club, are really creating a cultural shift in the process of fighting the power and taking revolution to the masses—not reform. There is more of an emphasis on breaking out of the old ways of thinking. 

He was struck by Michelle’s recent article about the rare time and the impact BA has had on her life, her transformation that she has spoken about before.  These examples on the show and website show a different way than in the past when we went from outrage to outrage but not challenging people to actually take the steps that Michelle and David have taken. They have shown how people can change.

In the 70’s people could look to Mao and China, and because of the objective situation, like the draft and other things, people were forced to confront the bigger questions of the day. Now things are coming to a head but, it’s not hitting people straight up yet.  We see in the situation in Gaza, the results of 1948 colonialism and that is conflating with imperialists’ interest in Ukraine. The destruction/death in Gaza in a few weeks equals the deaths in the Ukraine in nearly two years.  It’s a very dangerous place in the history of mankind with fascist forces growing around the world and people sucked into the BEB. He stressed that it’s going to take a lot of struggle. 

He reiterated that the younger revcoms are providing hope to people like him, and he wants to contribute to them being able to wage that struggle. He puts aside what is extra every month and then when he has an amount, he contributes.

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Statement from a donor in a suburb of Chicago 

"I first encountered the Revcoms through a friend, when they were standing up to Donald Trump and fascism right after his first election. At that time, I already saw him as a fascist and no one else saw that—until I met them and joined with them in refusing fascism. I certainly found the community around Bob Avakian to be a supportive one and I found Bob Avakian himself to be a voice for humanity. The political left is nonexistent in this country, which I find appalling. I give money to the Revcoms for a voice to be out there informing others of the threat to humanity and to the planet, which will only be exacerbated due to global warming. So search your heart and see what you can afford to give to the Revcoms too! "

From a long-time supporter of BA and the Revcoms

Leaders like BA don’t come along very often and are precious, a game changer. A major factor in whether something terrible or something truly liberating comes out of the period ahead. That’s why even in these hard times I donate what I can to the Revcoms—$25 right now, and I’m inviting others to join me in that.

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I’ve been a supporter of BA and the Revcoms for many years. I’ve watched the 3 amazing interviews of him several times. I love the way he speaks of complicated issues around making revolution and getting to a society where humanity can thrive, and then after making his point on an intellectual level he circles back and makes the point again in language that all, even those without much formal education can understand and breaks down the meaning of certain words and concepts that aren’t widely used like “tautology.” He doesn’t leave folks behind and I love his strategic confidence that inner city youth can break with the backward ways they have inhaled and been taught by living in this monstrous capitalist system and makes clear that it won’t be easy. That we’ll have to struggle like a mother fucker with them to break with that backward shit and boldly lead them to become emancipators of humanity. Reasons like that are why people are starting to say that he’s the greatest revolutionary thinker on the planet and that his heart is with the people. But don’t get it twisted.

BA is not an armchair revolutionary. On top of all that BA is a leader with a lot of heart as it’s generally defined on the streets.

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Statement from a retired biology tutor

This year 2023 WE NEED TO PUT REVOLUTION ON THE MAP. YOUR DONATIONS LIKE MINE WILL HELP GET THE WORD OUT. The seeds have been sown and people are worried and disenchanted with the system. Even a conversation with a family member of my boyfriend who probably never thought of Revolution in his life showed how frustrated he was and worried about how bad and unpredictable the system is. Getting the word out takes MONEY and SUPPORT from EVERYONE.

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I take Revolution personally. My lungs were the healthiest part of me and this environment presents so many pollutants and allergens that I and even my Lyft driver were comparing notes on our pulmonologists. The weather patterns are unpredictable and harsh from hail to tornadoes in the Midwest. They are actually studying how to make food in a lab because so many bad things are in the soil and water, if there is even any top soil left to grow on, because of flash floods. If we do not throw out this system we will soon have nothing healthy to eat, if anything at all, let alone air to breath.  NOW IS THE TIME FOR REVOLUTION.

Bob Avakian has a strategy that is based on critical thinking and science to throw out and replace this system. It is not just ideological gibberish. Listen to the three interviews with Bob Avakian like I did and follow The RNL—Revolution, Nothing Less!—Show every Thursday live or watch later just to begin to educate yourself. Listening to Bob Avakian makes me comfortable with the idea that Revolution is the only way to secure the future for us and our kids.

So please donate now or make a monthly donation to the revcoms. Thank you.

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Painting Portraits for the Revolution

“I wanted to use my art to contribute to revolution because it’s a major part of what I do. But I’m a portrait artist and I had trouble thinking of compositions that I could see making a real contribution to revolution and the fight for a new world. Funds are urgently needed and many, many more people need to learn about and contribute to this revolution. I have been contributing from the proceeds of my work but I realized that it could contribute a lot more by advertising my portraits as a fundraiser for Revcom, enlisting people to purchase them as a contribution to bringing forward a new world worth living in, and providing them with links to learn more and connect with this revolution.”

These are the words of a portrait artist who has set up a special site to advertise his work and call for people to commission him to paint their portrait as a benefit for the revolution.

Painting Portraits for the Revolution

 

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Through this special site, his Facebook page, and through word of mouth the call has gone out to a couple of thousand people—most of whom are hearing a call to contribute to the Revcoms for the very first time. Already almost 90 people have started following the site—mainly artists, teachers, social workers and other professionals. 

The response has been very good. Many have commented favorably, some saying they are spreading it among their friends. Putting it out on social media has been important but it has also been important to speak/correspond directly with people. There are seven firm orders so far which will end up raising about $1500 for Revcom. Some are from people who follow Revcom and have some familiarity with Bob Avakian, but others are from people who are new to this. A copy of the Points of Attention for the Revolution is included with the delivery of each painting. 

“The project is gaining momentum so I intend to continue and expand it!  The world doesn't have time for later!”

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