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 farmers' 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. 

So we promoted the Fundraiser on Instagram and made a public call for volunteers. Over the course of four days people donated materials like a portable butane camping stove + fuel, sour cream and applesauce, potatoes and onions, etc. Volunteers came together on two nights to grate potatoes and pre-cook the Latkes, and came out to be part of selling them at the farmer's markets. 

We did a test run in Echo Park before we went to the Hollywood Farmers' Market (one of Los Angeles' largest farmers' markets). We summed up that we needed to fight for people to donate more than the price of the Latkes, “round up and give the whole $20!” This helped open up discussion about what the funds were for and what this revolution is all about.

We stood in the middle of the market and sent people over to our table. This got attention from Zionists, which actually compelled people who stand against genocide to join us on the spot. This also attracted people who were really agonizing to look into this revolution and Bob Avakian. We had been at these farmers markets before October 7 and had not gotten engagement like this, where people were really drawn to the message and open. A vendor who has seen us before said she used to be one of the people who would say “it's too complicated” but now sees that it's not that complicated at all, and is horrified, which opened up larger questions around BEB, and the need for an actual revolution. We are in a jolt where people are questioning the role of this country, and to think about what it means that Joe Biden, a Democrat, is backing this genocide. 

Statements from Contributors to the Latke Fundraising in Los Angeles:

From a contributor to the Latke Sale in Los Angeles: 

The reality is that the capitalist class, and all the machinery that keeps imperialism going, it's funded with money. The fundraisers that are highlighted in revcom.us, the fundraisers of the Revolution Clubs, the fundraisers of The RNL Show, all these fundraisers exist to make sure that the revolutionary voice is able to reach broad masses of people in this country and around the world.

There can be no excuse given, if we have funds, that we don't donate. It is our responsibility to donate funds, and to encourage others to donate, and to create mechanisms and ideas and fundraisers so that funds can be raised to maintain the revolutionary struggle.

Let's go!

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From a volunteer for the Los Angeles Latke fundraiser: 

I chose to volunteer my time and resources to the Revcoms, particularly in Latka making to help fundraise. I did this because for the past couple of weeks, I’ve been witnessing genocide through all media of an innocent group of people. I’ve felt overwhelmed, and paralyzed with sadness and grief at the loss of life and humanity in the world. Every time I see a new image of a child shredded by rubble, or a mother screaming in agony, I feel extreme disappointment for the world I live in and anger at the ruling class who is letting this happen. I ask myself what I can do to actively help these people instead of going along with my day, like they aren’t suffering as I think about them. The only thing that comes to mind is to help the cause for a revolution. Any other thing I could do feels useless. I could donate money and send a sweatshirt to a cold child, but that doesn’t stop the bombing that killed his family. By helping the Revcoms I can work towards bringing down the system that funds this misery. I don’t want more children to be exploited or killed by governments which see them as pawns in their game. If I did nothing, I’d be another mindless person in this country who only cares about oneself and ignores what’s going on in the world. I can’t ignore human suffering when everyday I am reminded, at my own expense, of who this system was designed for.

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From a Student who volunteered for the Los Angeles Latke Sale: 

It was good being there today, very fulfilling. I’m looking forward to staying involved throughout the future.

As for why I took part, I have been interested in the idea of changing things for the better for a long time now. This revolution seems like a good opportunity to make the world a better place before I die. I don’t think there’s a point to living if not to make the experience better for those that come after you.

it was a little interesting seeing the amount of push back for the ideals promoted but to me it feels like all the more reason to continue to push for them.

I hope that answers your questions lol.