Will you be at the U.S. Social Forum this year?

The Social Forum is a gathering of social justice organizations and activists from around the country and around the world that will offer more than 1000 workshops —this year the U.S. meeting is in Detroit, June 22-26 (www.ussf2010.org).

If you're planning to attend, we hope to see you at the ARC workshop Wednesday June 23, at 10 AM. Our workshop will discuss the critical questions and challenges facing organizers trying to build a movement of multi-issue solidarity, drawing on specific experiences of ARC.

Chicago has been the epicenter of many intense and powerful movements.We have been carefully, respectfully building community and unity across many lines of difference: political, ideological, generational and cultural. ARC has worked with over forty organizations and has involved over 2,000 people in our ongoing activities.  What we are building, however, is NOT a coalition but a community.  Coalitions tend to be temporary alliances around an issue, an attack or an event. We want to build on lasting notions of reciprocity and principle, where we internalize our commitment to and understanding of each others struggles and issues, and forge relationships to sustain those commitments over time.  It has been a complicated process but we believe we have made an impact on the landscape of the city. 

If we can forge a stronger progressive, left, radical community in this environment, we are on to something.  We would like to share our lessons and mistakes, hear what movement building is going on elsewhere, and make contacts with those of you fighting to reclaim your cities and communities.  We also invite other Chicagoans to attend our workshop at 10 AM on June 23 at Cobo Hall D2-14.