On August 6th, the Center for Political Innovation held a conference titled “Unite Against The Imperialists” in Deerfield, Illinois – a suburb of Chicago. The event brought together many anti-imperialists from all different backgrounds. Various people and organizations contributed to the literature table: the CPGB-ML sent several copies of their newspapers and books, the African People’s Socialist Party had their newspaper, Tara Reade sold copies of her memoir, and the Free Alex Saab Committee contributed books about Cuba and Venezuela. The symposium lived up to its name by bringing together bright thinkers from disparate backgrounds to unite against the imperialists.

The conference began with a procession of two CPI members – Charlotte Forrester and Ryan Cotten – carrying the American flag and the Soviet victory banner, respectively, onto the stage as the Internationale played. The two comrades joined hands for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner and were joined by three other CPI members, who assembled in front of the stage. Gaby Hernandez held a poster with the ‘Z’ symbol, while Lily Goldklang and Elizabeth Pekin held the flags of Donetsk and China. This sensational opening ceremony went viral on Twitter, racking up over 5 million views within days.

U.S. Midwest Regional representative for the African People’s Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement Kalambayi Andenet launched the afternoon panel with a riveting speech on the recent FBI raid of their offices and the long history of state repression against anti-imperialists. Tara Reade spoke next about the corporate media’s smear campaigns and character assassination she has faced since reporting that Joe Biden sexually assaulted her. The afternoon panel concluded with radio personality and retired detective Garland Nixon, Marxist-Leninist truck driver Dust James, and a representative of CPI Chicago who detailed local education and organizing efforts.

The evening panel featured more great speakers: Stansfield Smith from the Free Alex Saab Committee, Chris Helali of the Party of Communists USA, and Nick Brana of the People’s Party. In addition, several CPI members gave speeches: organizational director Justin Simons, director of international outreach Lily Goldklang, and of course CPI founder and director Caleb Maupin. Both panels featured live music from Paul Shepard and Jessie Jet, who were both met with uproarious applause. The conference concluded with CPI member Dana Anex playing ‘Amazing Grace’ on the violin, as the US and Victory flags were retired.

Newsweek published an article two days later that included the viral video of “American Socialists Fly[ing] Pro-Putin Flags.” Chicago City Wire also published an article about the conference claiming, inaccurately, that the CPI has opened an office in Chicago. Inaccuracies and negative biases notwithstanding, the resulting media exposure is a sign that growing opposition to Western imperialism can no longer be easily ignored or suppressed. The Center for Political Innovation has tentative plans for its next conference to be held somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.