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 into our activity.
Democrats Cynically Change Tune on Israel
Democratic politicians are shamelessly attempting to pander to American workers’ growing hatred for Israel.
Many of them have gradually shifted their rhetoric from steadfast support for Zionism to muted criticism of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Congressman Ro Khanna is among the most brazen of these fair-weather Zionists.
Khanna was detained by Israeli forces while visiting the West Bank to “see for himself” the violence and suffering endured by Palestinians. How noble of him—after three years of genocidal slaughter, thanks to his party’s blank check to Netanyahu!
Khanna is now cynically using this photo op to present himself as one of the foremost critics of Israel ahead of a possible 2028 presidential run. Students remember how the Democrats weaponized antisemitism to crush their encampments. Workers remember how Congress eagerly sent billions of dollars to Israel’s military while rent and grovery prices skyrocketed at home.
The Democrats have never been more unpopular. Only an independent working-class party can put forward a genuine program of proletarian internationalism and anti-imperialism.
Down with Imperialism!
Build the RCA!
Trump Voter: “for the Ruling Class, the Rules Don’t Apply”
i was listening to NPR’s “Up First” like I do every morning. Interviewing a 27-year-old rural voter named Caleb, the host asked who he was voting for in the midterms. Caleb, who works in construction and voted for Trump twice, said “Seems like we have a ruling class that doesn’t have to follow any of the rules anymore, and we just all kind of face the brunt of it. And I just don’t think that’s any way we’re supposed to live. That’s not the values our country was created on.”
As voters are betrayed by both the Republicans and the Democrats, it’s becoming more obvious that the blame doesn’t rest on a single party, but the entire system. Of course, NPR ignored Caleb’s mention of the “ruling class,” but Americans now have a name for the parasitic minority that riegns over the US. It’s up to us to build a party to focus that anger.
Defend the Minnesota 15!
Mason M, Minneapolis, MN
The federal government is charging 15 activists for “conspiring against agents” during January’s ICE OUT movement.
US Attorney Daniel Rosen claims their actions—attempting to block ICE vehicles—was a conspiracy to interfere with federal operations “by force.” He warns:
If you are actively conspiring to impede law enforcement, actively conspiring to commit the acts that today’s indictment alleges, you ought to assume that we’re watching you and that we will get you.
Meanwhile, only two ICE officers have been charged for their actions in Operation Metro Surge. Christian J. Castro was charged with shooting a man in North Minneapolis and lying about it under oath. And Gregory Donnell Morgan, Jr. was charged with assault related to a road-rage incident.
Jonathan Ross, who murdered Renee Good, has quietly returned to work after temporary leave. No one has been charged for killing Alex Pretti. Thousands of other agents face no consequences for their state-sponsored terrorism.
The bogus charges against Direct Action Minnesota show which side the courts are on. The many thousands of participants in the movement could come under legal attacks for such “conspiracies,” and the RCA stands in solidarity with the Minnesota 15. Unless the broader labor movement organizes to defend them in solidarity, these attacks will continue. An injury to one is an injury to all!
Overworked and Sleep Deprived
Yulissa G, Los Angeles, CA
I work the graveyard shift at a warehouse. It’s common for my coworkers to suffer sleep deprivation while working this job.
According to the National Safety Council, sleep deprivation affects 43% of American workers and 62% of those who work night shifts. It can lead to cognitive impairment, heart disease, a weakened immune system, dementia, and more.
The other day, I learned eight of my coworkers have second full-time jobs and only sleep four hours a day. At most, they’re sleeping 20 hours from Monday through Friday, while playing catch-up on the weekends.
Each day, they’re working 16 hours. Eight hours is all they have left to eat, sleep, and commute to and from two different jobs. Forget finding time for the things that make life worth living. Every minute is squeezed for the bosses.
Someone overheard one of the managers saying he was investigating which workers had second or third jobs so he could replace them, since they typically arrive late and won’t stay late.
How is it that so many of us are overworked while around one in four Americans are functionally unemployed? Your options are either to overwork yourself or languish in poverty. Capitalism exploits the most vulnerable and discards them when it is no longer profitable.
“The RCA Seems Less Extreme Every Day”
Dan B, St. Louis, MO
I went to Zoom training for workers who want to organize and kick ICE out of their workplaces. Organizers from Minneapolis–St. Paul spoke about their experiences on the ground and shared some lessons they’ve learned. They described how the mood among workers is changing.
This is what one non-RCA organizer from Minneapolis had to say about the call for a general strike:
“If workers organize to withhold their labor, they can really fuck their boss up. I think that realization is dawning on more workers. Four months ago, if you called for a general strike, you’d have to have been in the Revolutionary Communists of America. That is no longer the case.”
Mass consciousness is starting to shift, and workers are starting to realize the power they have to bring the economy to a halt. In the words of the old German poet, Georg Herwegh, “All the wheels shall stand still if thy strong arm so wills.”
Workers are rediscovering the class-struggle methods that have worked in the past. A nationwide general strike may be closer than you think. The call ended with: “Fuck capitalism, fuck the bosses, and fuck ICE!”
911 Call to an ICE Facility
Anonymous RCA sustainer
I work in emergency medicine and ran a call at an ICE detention center. What I saw was horrifying.
The facility is very discreet. Before the call, I had no idea it was an ICE detention center. There were signs outside the facility with messages of love and support from friends and family of the detainees.
The facility was locked down more than any jail I’ve ever run a call at. The call was at 3:00am. All the lights were on, and the nightshift agents were blasting rock music. It would have been impossible for any of the detainees to sleep.
The call was for a man who was smashing his head against the wall because he just wanted out. He was alone in a concrete cell, strapped to a bed with plastic restraints on all four limbs. Other inmates were unrestrained but had only plastic mattresses on the floor. There was no toilet. The agents kept telling me to watch out because there was urine on the floor. The whole facility looked more like an animal shelter than a place for humans. This has to stop.
Meeting a Communist Kid
Jonathan Q, Chicago, IL
The Chicago comrades were tabling at a train station today when we were approached by an enthusiastic young boy asking if we were communists. “Yes we are!” “That’s awesome,” he replied, “I’m a communist too!”
One of the comrades asked if he’s organized and he said not yet, but he and his friends had formed a communist reading group and were reading Marx and Lenin. At this point, I couldn’t help but ask, “How old are you?”
“I’m eleven.”
We all started to high five him. We were stunned that someone this young was not only interested in communism, but was actively educating himself, and with his friends no less!
We asked if he had heard of the RCA; “Yeah, I listen to your guys’ podcast.” It was honestly surreal talking to an eleven year old that had both heard of our party, and was listening to the podcast. Of course he bought a copy of the latest issue of The Communist, after which a woman approached, “Oh this is my mom, mom these guys are communists!” We all had to express just how impressed we were by her son. After a brief conversation the two of them headed on their way, and we all felt confident that one day, that kid is going to be a comrade of the RCA.
The ground is so fertile for revolutionary thinking that even eleven year olds are seeking out Marxist ideas. The future of Marxism in America is bright.
“Maybe I’m a Communist”
Jordan P, Detroit, MI
At a recent paper sale in Flint, we met a man who couldn’t believe he’d run into communists.
“Like Russia?” He said, “Isn’t communism a bad thing?”
We explained that workers produce all the wealth in society, but don’t get any say over how it’s distributed. We told him the capitalist class are parasites and need to be overthrown.
He started agreeing. He told us he’s a welder. He works hard but gets paid terribly. He worries about being able to provide for his daughter.
He came back later, wanting to talk more. He described himself as “apolitical” and as a conspiracy theorist who feels vindicated by recent events.
He agreed when we said the entire system needs to be smashed. We told him the RCA is building a party that’s up to the task of overthrowing capitalism and putting working people in control of society. “Shit,” he said, “maybe I am a communist.”
New York Workers Say: “ICE Out for Good!”
Erica L, Brooklyn, NY
We arrived to “ICE Out for Good” at Union Square an hour early to have a preparatory political discussion before the rally. Several hundred people gathered around us to listen, so we had to quickly pivot to addressing this wider-than-usual audience rather than having an internally-focused discussion.
When we talked about the need for centralized, democratically accountable leadership structures to organize a general strike, we got cheers and applause. This tactic immediately drew the best contacts in, such as one person who asked us how to get organized in front of everyone. Once we stopped speaking, the organizers suspiciously started the event on time, likely because the crowd thought we were the organizers! That and the low political level of the other speakers is proof of the gaping vacuum of leadership in this movement.
After that, we dispersed to have longer political discussions with those who listened to our rally. We sent pairs out in the crowd, which grew to five or ten thousand people. There were a lot of unorganized people open to our ideas: that to fight ICE and win, the only ingredient missing is organization. One person said she was already a fan of our articles and the podcast, and wanted to join!
As the rally ended, we pulled out a megaphone and led chants. A marching band eagerly accompanied us. “Fight ICE with a general strike, workers of the world unite!” and “the workers united will never be defeated” were popular.
Talking Tactics with My Waitress
Josh M, Minneapolis, MN
After a long day of political discussions with new recruits, I decided to treat myself with a meal. I picked a restaurant about a mile away from where Alex Pretti was murdered.
As I paid my bill, I asked the waitress whether they had plans if ICE showed up. The answer was, “Yes!” She described the protocol that the employees and manager had come up with, as well as the security measures that they are taking.
I asked her if they had coordinated with the employees of the neighboring businesses. Her eyes went wide. She said that it was an amazing idea, and started brainstorming out loud about developing communication lines between all of the local establishments, so that the workers could all mobilize if ICE shows up.
We discussed the conflicting interests of workers and corporate owners on the issue of workplace safety, and ways that the movement could escalate with citywide leadership, and even link up with other cities! She happily grabbed our leaflets for herself and her coworkers.
Skyline Students Walk Out!
NEA Member at Skyline High School, Mesa, AZ
During lunch, students at Skyline High School walked out in protest against ICE. Carrying signs that read “Keep ICE Out” and “No One is Illegal,” the students gathered at a street corner before marching off campus.
The mood was electric. Cars honked in support. One student said, “We have to walk out. They can apparently just arrest anyone, and that’s crazy.” Meanwhile reports have already come in that other schools in Mesa have also had walkouts!
Students are fed up and showing that they will not only stand up for themselves but also for their fellow students, families, and neighbors. To quote the immortal words of The Who, “The kids are all right.”
Local Organizations Looking to Escalate!
Jason R, Minneapolis, MN
Yesterday I attended an in-person meeting of a local Signal group chat, wearing my RCA beanie. There were 11 other people in the “business outreach” breakout session, mostly middle-aged.
At first, I listened. Someone said corporate-chain managers are much less receptive to anti-ICE procedures and training, and more focused on keeping profits flowing.
I asked whether we should be talking to managers or employees. I told them other RCA comrades noticed the same divide between managers and employees when they visited Target and Home Depot. We should talk to employees rather than managers, and encourage them to organize their own procedures and link up with other locations as possible. I heard people audibly exclaim “ooooh!” in agreement.
After the meeting, I got a very warm reception from an older lady who has been doing the vast majority of the outreach work over the last three months. She was nodding along with a big smile on her face as I talked about being conscious of the conflicting interests between bosses and workers, and the fact that the ICE problem runs much deeper than just Trump.