Call for Submissions: Against Police Brutality

September 21, 2020 by The Activist Editorial Board

Since the explosion of protests against police killings in late May, The Activist has published several articles on the police and protests against them.

The protests have continued, and so has police brutality, especially in response to peaceful demonstrators. As part of the largest protest movement in U.S. history, some parts of the country have seen non-stop mobilization for over 100 days.

YDSA comrades in every state have thrown themselves into these struggles. Therefore, we are inviting reflections on the progress of the movement and how socialists should fight against police brutality moving forward. Possible topics for submissions include:

  • What successes have the protests achieved so far? In terms of reforms, budget changes, new organizations, or coalitions between pre-existing organizations.
  • What conditions sparked the protests? How do they relate to the broader conditions for class struggle and socialist politics in the U.S.?
  • Should socialists advocate for defunding the police, abolishing the police, or something else?
  • What is the likely trajectory of the recent protests? Will the millions of people who have taken to the streets retain their political commitments and develop a socialist critique of society, or will the protests against police inevitably fade? 
  • How should YDSA chapters relate to non-socialist activists and groups to cooperate on demands?
  • How do we evaluate the movement against police brutality as it progresses? How do we measure its successes and potential? What are its shortcomings or limitations? 
  • What have we learned, as YDSA chapters, from the movements?  How can we prepare for the next uprising?

In order to decrease the outrageous number of police murders each year, socialists must survey the political terrain, evaluate the movement as it currently exists, and commit to a plan of action. The Activist hopes to publish YDSA members’ thoughts on this pressing issue.

To submit an article, visit https://y.dsausa.org/about-the-activist/. Please email [email protected] with any questions!