Anti-War Activism Outgrows the “Anti-War” Movement

Earlier this year, the largest anti-war demonstration since the Iraq War took place: Rage Against the War Machine, organized by a broad coalition led by the People’s Party. The Center for Political Innovation was a proud member of that coalition. The event took place at a key time, as the Ukraine war raged at a fever pitch but support was fading among the US population. Americans turned out in droves for the rally, and shortly afterwards Capitol Hill began to turn against funding for the Ukraine war. One might expect the anti-war and socialist movement to be overjoyed. Yet perhaps the most prominent “anti-war” socialist group in the United States was not just uninvolved, but actively stood against the rally. What happened?

For decades, the Party of Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and its ANSWER Coalition, led by Brian Becker, positioned themselves as leaders of the US anti-war movement. They led huge protests against the Iraq War, have long led marches for Palestine, and their website lists many slogans with which we at CPI fully agree. “No war with China!”, “End the siege on Syria!”, “Free all political prisoners”, “Peace in Ukraine – Negotiations not escalation!”, and others. However, their groups have always been on the fringes of American society, and last year’s Rage Against the War Machine rally showed why. When an event united Americans from the left and right in opposition to war, PSL did not leap at the opportunity to build a broad coalition against war. Instead, they attacked the event for not being purely left-wing, and ultimately, for not being under their control. Through their actions, PSL demonstrates why 21^st-century anti-war activism has to move past ‘right’ or ‘left’.

In the lead-up to Rage Against the War Machine, PSL, the ANSWER Coalition, and leader Brian Becker undertook a concerted effort to sabotage this historic anti-war rally, slandering its organizers and seeking to suppress attendance. They called the event racist, attacked the character of attendees and speakers, and said the event would be unsafe for attendees from marginalized communities. The main claim of PSL’s slander campaign was that the Rage Against the War Machine rally was “too white”. However, when black Americans oppose the status quo, PSL stands against them just the same.

Tomorrow, on November 4^th, 2023, black Americans are holding their own Black People’s March on Washington. Sadly, the Party of Socialism, ANSWER Coalition, and Brian Becker have spent the lead-up to this event alternately trying to seize control of and/or sabotage that march. They see no contradiction – for PSL, ANSWER, Brian Becker, and most importantly the network of well-funded nonprofits and Democratic Party activists that support them, the real issue is not that these rallies are “too white” or “too black”, but that they are “too working class”.

What do Rage Against the War Machine and the Black is Back Coalition have in common? They exist largely outside of the nonprofit industrial complex, and have received little funding. This is a problem for capital, which has long supported ineffective leftist organizations under a ‘lesser of two evils’ approach. For years, PSL and the ANSWER Coalition have worked to build their brand as “leaders” of the anti-war movement, seeking fame with no regard for actually accomplishing anything. As long as checks continue to flow in from the nonprofit industrial complex, PSL and ANSWER will happily wave inflammatory signs in downtown areas, with no expectation of growing their membership or having any national impact. They do nothing to threaten their funders’ interests. However, they have no success stories to offer – they depend on being the only game in town. If a movement is independent, raises its resources directly from the people, and does not take direction from the foundations and the NGOs, that movement is a threat to the Becker network and to its employers.

At this critical juncture in history, while the United States inflames international tensions and Americans at home grow more and more skeptical of foreign wars, we need a true anti-war movement. For many decades, anti-war sentiment was a fringe position, and small groups like the PSL and Answer Coalition were allowed to exist as a pressure relief valve for tensions in US society. But now, as pressures rise, Americans of all stripes are beginning to put aside their differences and turn against the war machine. While previous “anti-war” leaders oppose the rise of anti-war sentiments in the population, we at the Center for Political Innovation see this as an opportunity. It is time to join together as Americans and stand up for peace, prosperity, and a brighter future.

If you want to be part of an independent movement that truly wants to stop wars and imperialism, get on a bus and attend the Black People’s March on Washington on November 4^th, 2023! Then get on a plane December 2^nd, and attend the Center for Political Innovation’s historic National Convention in Portland!

For further context on the Party of Socialism and Liberation, and the origins of Brian Becker and his organizations, see this article: https://cpiusa.org/articles/the-masses-are-the-water-understanding-the-failure-of-late-marcyism

Read and endorse the open letter from the Black is Back coalition: https://blackisbackcoalition.org/open-letter-to-brian-becker-of-the-answer-coalition-and-party-for-socialism-and-liberation/

Hear Chaiman Yeshitela response as he speaks on the anti-colonial free speech and anti-war movements and the attacks on the African Peoples Socialist Party.