Live Reports from the Frontlines
Our work is made possible by the hundreds of communist correspondents across the U.S. whose contributions flood into our offices every day.
Here is a glimpse of those contributions.
Workers Are at Their Limit
Jacob R, Bridgeport, CT
At my workplace there is a very strong feeling of frustration throughout the shop. It has reached a point where, every other day, a different coworker approaches me with the same complaint. The workload is excessive, stemming from a management team that doesn’t know how to manage. Even with everyone working 10+ hour days, Monday through Saturday, we are pushed to work harder and faster.
I have had people break down in tears describing their struggles. They cannot balance the little time they have left after work with affording the simplest of needs: housing, healthcare, and food.
When I point to the system that allows for inequality it resonates with them. Many of them send remittances to family in different countries but the rising cost of living has made that near impossible. Not only is it the immediate struggles my coworkers face, but the thought of tax dollars going towards things that hurt others abroad.
From Zohran Canvasser to RCA Member
Austin L, Brooklyn, NY
Nine months ago, I was walking through the snow in Bed-Stuy knocking on doors, telling my neighbors why they should vote for Zohran. I believed I was doing something meaningful, that this was how ordinary people could fight back against capitalism. Today, I can clearly see and explain the real limitations of that approach.
I was in a pretty “doomerist” place. I could feel the crises of capitalism everywhere, but I didn’t have the language to explain any of it. I felt stuck in “lesser of two evils” politics. It was getting harder to lie to myself when I recognized that even the best reforms were not changing the direction of my life or anyone else’s. I wanted a space where my questions would be met with real explanations and real solutions, not just virtue signaling or moral outrage.
DSA let me walk in with no questions asked, but also offered no answers. It felt refreshing at first but that feeling quickly faded into resentment because I didn’t fully believe what I was selling at the doors.
Then I ran into a group of RCA comrades selling The Communist. For the first time, I heard capitalism explained not as a collection of bad decisions or bad policy, but as a system that cannot be fixed—only overthrown. It was the first time the conditions I was experiencing were actually explained with clear and material reasons.
I don’t blame myself or anyone else for canvassing for Zohran. People are frustrated and searching for answers. But now I’m on the other side of those paper sales, looking for the same people who were just like me, people who knew something was deeply wrong but could not find anyone who could explain why.
Zohran Volunteer Finds What He’s Looking for in the RCA
Grant K, Queens, NY
CG, an active Zohran campaign volunteer, was radicalized during the course of the campaign. He said he wanted to “keep going” and “do even more” now that the campaign is over.
He found the New York Marxist School through our Instagram page and attended every session on both days, despite not knowing a single party member.
In discussions during the breaks and at the socials, he learned about the RCA’s perspectives and strategy. After the closing session of the school, he came over and said, “I want to join right now. What do I do?” He joined the party, paying the equivalent of a day’s wages in monthly dues. In addition to joining, he bought six books from the bookstore, and I gave him the two most recent copies of The Communist, and the newest issue of In Defence of Marxism.
I called him the next day. He told me that he’d already read the center spread article from TC 16 and the first 40 pages of What is Marxism? and had prepared a list of questions he was planning on bringing to his communist cell meeting this week.
“Ex-MAGA for Mamdani” Signs Up with the RCA
Wesley Allen, Queens, NY
At Zohran’s final campaign rally in Queens, I spotted a man wearing a hat and shirt that read: “MAGA for Mamdani.”
I asked if the two politicians had something in common that won his support. He said it was their acknowledgement of the cost-of-living crisis and their promises to lower grocery prices.
Now, he no longer has illusions in Trump, but he’s excited for a bold, young outsider to put up a fight against the political establishment.
We discussed the false divisions of the culture war, and we agreed that the main divide in society is between classes.
He asked why I’m a communist. I explained the need for working class independence in the struggle for better conditions—and ultimately revolution. The working class has our own interests opposed to the capitalists. We need our own organizations, our own methods, our own media, and our own party to effectively fight the class enemy.
He agreed and signed up to get involved with the RCA!
When reporters from the capitalist media flocked to interview him, interrupting our discussion, he held up a copy of The Communist for the cameras. Looking at them, he said, “People keep calling me a communist—and I might as well be.”
Later, I overheard another rallygoer explaining that he had voted for Bernie, then Trump, and now supports Zohran. These discussions with workers confirm our perspectives that Trump’s reelection was not a turn to the “right”—much less a step towards fascism—but an expression of a deep class rage that hasn’t found a proper outlet.
The Communist on the Commute
Gregory C, Queens, NY
For the past three months, I’ve been having discussions with an older gentleman who shares my commute home. Every conversation invariably leads to a deeper political discussion about the decay of capitalism and how socialism is the only solution.
Last Tuesday, I showed him The Communist issue 17. We talked about the articles on Zohran and the recent general strike in Italy, and he bought a copy.
Two days later, he told me he read our issue, front to back, and praised it for its clarity. He said it convinced him to subscribe. We had another discussion about the changes in mass consciousness, and I showed him the results of the Cato/YouGOV survey featured on the front cover of issue 16 which say that 34% of young people support communism. He bought that copy without hesitation. It’s not just the youth—even the older generation are seeking a way out of this rotten system!
“This is where I want to be!”
Matthew E, Philadelphia, PA
At one of our tables at No Kings, we shouted, among other slogans, about the need to get organized, “Protesting alone is not enough; we need to get organized!”
A young man zipped up to our table from out of the crowd. “Get organized?” he echoed. “This is where I want to be!”
I greeted him with the same enthusiasm, and we spoke about the need for a Marxist party, the complete vacuum on the left, and the enormous potential for the communist movement in America. He bought our paper, exchanged contacts with me, and we’re going to meet next week to talk about how he can get involved in the party.
Raising the Communist Banner at NYC No Kings
Bea B, New York, NY
20 RCA comrades intervened in the NYC No Kings march. This is essentially an event organized by the Democratic Party, so we were anticipating more liberal views among the crowd. We also were unsure how large or energetic the turnout would be, given that New York has not directly experienced the heightened political atmosphere created by Trump sending in ICE or National Guard troops to other cities. But we showed up to get a sense of the mood and to put forward the communist perspective of what it will take to fight Trumpism!
We prepared ourselves for this by meeting a block away beforehand for a quick political discussion based of the article “The Government Shutdown is a Bipartisan Attack on Workers—Where are the Labor Leaders?” We saw our perspective of how to launch a real fightback against Trump and all the billionaires as our best way to connect with this crowd.
All that was needed was a bit of confidence to hold a copy of The Communist high. People popped out of the crowd to say “I need one of those!”
As we expected, the turnout was mainly older liberals. But comrades did an excellent job of sorting through the crowd and making a beeline toward those we could tell had some potential. Once again, this simply required holding the paper high, shouting our slogans over the heads of some protesters who were not (yet) looking for Marxist ideas, and making our way over to anyone who gave us a nod. In total, we made 11 contacts and sold 30 papers for $151!
“The People Need Organization!”
Marley M, Tempe, AZ
I introduced myself to two curious young women on Arizona State University’s campus. I said the RCA is building a working-class party committed to the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a workers’ government.
Neither of them saw a future under capitalism. I explained that a Communist America is only possible, but beautiful. When I showed them the centerfold of The Communist issue 16, they both bought a copy!
Another student walked up, saying he was interested in communism. I asked why. He said that the system is heading towards a revolution—but there wasn’t any organization to lead it.
I was ecstatic! I showed him our program, and he described it as a “breath of fresh air!” He shifted to talking about the 2024 election: “It was disgusting. They keep making it a left and right issue when it’s not. The people need organization!”
Naturally, he’s coming to our next communist cell meeting!
Class Anger at the Job Fair
Lily M, Los Angeles, CA
Tired of refreshing my email only to find rejection letters from online job applications, I went to a job fair in LA. While waiting in line under the headache-inducing, fluorescent lights of a hotel lobby, I chatted with two women in their 40s.
One had recently been laid off from Microsoft, the other by Hulu. Both had worked there for over 10 years. They’d been struggling to find work for months, going to job fairs and networking events, hoping to at least make an in-person connection. A young guy chimed in that online job-boards are littered with “ghost jobs” so companies can measure how replaceable you are.
Hundreds of workers had filed inside the hotel where only 13 companies were tabling—despite the organizers claiming there’d be over 100. One of the women had attended a fair where out of the 20 companies present, only two of them were actually hiring. “I made a Tik-Tok about it because I was so pissed, and it went viral!” Clearly this experience is not unique.
An older woman ahead of us said, “I hope this isn’t an indicator of the job market!” Everyone surrounding looked at each other, wondering who was going to break the bad news.
Later, I spoke to a recent grad with an engineering degree. She just moved to LA for a new job. The day after she moved, they fired her.
I had heard the stories and I had seen the numbers which both pointed toward recession and a bad job market. But just 45 minutes in that hotel lobby, I felt the desperation and anger of our class as our ability to make a living and get by is attacked by the capitalist class. Workers will only take so much before big class battles break out!
Being the Communist in Class Inspires Teachers, Too!
Marie G, Philadelphia, PA
Today in class, my professor asked us to share a museum experience that impacted us and shaped our view of history. I talked about my visit to the Leon Trotsky House Museum in Mexico City.
I told the class how much he inspires me to remain firm in my communist principles. Seeing the bullet holes in the walls—from an assassination attempt by Stalinist agents—made Trotsky’s struggle real for me. He was a flesh-and-blood man who fought for the future of humanity, despite all odds being against him.
I hoped this would be an opportunity to attract sympathetic students. After class, my teacher came up to me. I figured I was in trouble for talking about communism in class. But he said, “I have an unhealthy obsession with Trotsky! I find him so fascinating and admirable.” I wasn’t expecting that! He’s even planning to attend an RCA public event on campus.
Being the communist in class pays off. Even if I don’t end up recruiting my professor, at least he knows to direct sympathetic students to the RCA!
High Schoolers Moshed Us for Communism!
Kim H, New York, NY
On a Friday, we set up our table down the block from a high school. Herds of students passed us as school let-out—and many recognized the RCA. At one point a mosh pit formed around our table with students chanting, “Communism! Communism!”
Several students asked us when we’d be back—as if we needed any more proof that young people are hungry for revolution!
Fiancée Heard I Am a Communist and Said, “I’m With Him!”
Devon O, Chicago, IL
At my new job as a FedEx driver, a coworker asked if I kept up with the news. I told him I pay close attention to what’s going on. I asked for his thoughts on current events. After I listened to him, he asked for mine. I told him I’m organized with the Revolutionary Communists of America. I explained our program and why I thought he should be a communist.
He was excited to learn about the party. He even called his fiancée to share the good news, “I’m with the new guy. Guess what? He’s a communist!” To his surprise, his fiancée said, “Good, I’m with him!”
He’s started sharing RCA podcasts and articles with his whole friend group, and he’s eager to talk to them about Marxism.
Just 20 minutes before our discussion, he described himself as a “centrist.” No one else in this country can explain Marxist ideas, perspectives, and the necessity of socialist revolution like the RCA. By boldly and clearly making the case, we can win over a wider layer of workers to the revolutionary party!