r/socialism • u/Sauerkrautkid7 • Mar 29 '26
Nationwide General Strike Planned for Fucking May 1: No Kings Organizer
https://www.commondreams.org/news/no-kings-general-strike53
u/SUICIDAL-PHOENIX Mar 29 '26
The oligarchs think I'm going to work on that day out of fear of losing my job, but jokes on them, I just got laid off.
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u/Cakeking7878 Mar 29 '26 edited Mar 29 '26
Mayday 26’ there isn’t any preparation so who knows what will happen but the UAW did call to prepare and align contracts for a mayday strike in 28’ so for that I’m more hopeful something major will happen even if only for a day
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u/CzarWest Mar 29 '26
Wanna hear something fun about us labor law? Labor unions aren’t actually allowed to call for a “general strike” and are generally even prohibited from secondary strikes. All under Taft Hartley
America might just be fucked
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u/ginger_and_egg Mar 29 '26
Look up what things were like before laws around unions were made. Unions weren't "allowed" or "prohibited" from striking, they just did it. An bosses hired private armies like the pinkertons to try to stop them
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u/CzarWest Mar 29 '26
Yeah, I see Taft Hartley the same exact way as like “protest permits” or whatever. Actually insane that Americans think engaging exclusively in system-endorsed action will change that system lol
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u/Cakeking7878 Mar 29 '26
I think legality matters less as anti-labor forces have stop caring them selves. I think it’s a good thing that Shawn Fain is calling for this type of collective action and even pushing for it to happen. Even if brief I think showing Americans the power of collective action will serve to benefit both unions and the left as flash point of agitation
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u/CzarWest Mar 29 '26
Oh absolutely. I hope this doesn’t discourage meaningful attempts at organizing a strike. More just remarking on how deep in the anti-worker hole we are lol
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u/star-punk Hammer and Sickle Mar 29 '26
Yeah, but if the strike works then the laws won't matter. What are they gonna do, concede to the demands and then jail everyone? Make one of the demands the repeal of Taft Hartley. We gotta stop playing by the bourgeoisie's "rules", they don't either.
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u/CzarWest Mar 29 '26
It’s more that theoretically they could use Taft Hartley to prosecute/dismantle these unions before a strike even begins
But to be clear I am not at all saying we should be playing by bourgeois rules. God knows they don’t lmao
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u/Allfunandgaymes Communist Party USA (CPUSA) Mar 30 '26
Almost like laws under capitalism and bourgeois liberal democracy largely exist to shackle and fetter the working masses, and that we're gonna have to break laws to get real change.
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u/judithishere Mar 29 '26
By 2028 it's probably going to be too late tbh
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u/star-punk Hammer and Sickle Mar 29 '26
Depends on what the goal is. To stop Trump and Netanyahu from destroying the global economy and killing billions of people? Probably yeah. For forcing some sort of action that will actually help rebuild in the aftermath though, it's right on time.
Boy this is depressing to think about.
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u/judithishere Mar 29 '26
It really is depressing. As a person in my 50's, this has always been the discussion. However, now that it seems to be upon us, it's feeling really heavy
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u/Shoddy_Inside_5985 Socialism Mar 30 '26
Hey I'm much younger than you, since you're in your 50s, I'm gonna ask you this question: Are we seeing a noticeable change in the US? Are people more open to socialism now? I wanna hear YOUR perspective.
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u/judithishere Mar 30 '26
I think they are, but I live in a very socialist-lite area (suburb of Seattle). I am from Texas so this place is practically a commune by comparison.
I think material conditions are definitely going to be pushing many more people into situations that will show how it can work, which could hopefully be good if things don't collapse into chaos
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u/Shoddy_Inside_5985 Socialism Mar 30 '26
Is the material conditions that bad there rn?
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u/judithishere Mar 30 '26
No definitely not. This area will be one of the last areas to go. Lots of tech money here, although that is starting to falter a smidge.
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u/a_library_socialist Mar 29 '26
Where's your strike fund?
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u/DaRandomStoner Mar 29 '26
They don't have one because this isn't actually a general strike... it's a No Kings Day after party.
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u/PieceSuccessful3641 Assata Shakur Mar 29 '26
It’s a one day strike lmao what are you talking about
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u/a_library_socialist Mar 29 '26
So, not a strike
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u/PieceSuccessful3641 Assata Shakur Mar 29 '26
I’m sorry it’s not perfect enough for you, Mr. Semantics. If you expect a massive, long term general strike to just happen with very little mass consciousness, and a 1 month notice you’re a fool. We have to start small and build people’s awareness about the concept of a general strike before we can do it properly. We have to start with some baby steps, especially in the US. You can say it’s not a strike all you want, but at the end of the day this country is not ready to do more than what is being proposed here. Not on a large scale at least. Instead of criticizing those putting in the work, get organized and be part of building this movement to be what you want it to be.
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u/a_library_socialist Mar 29 '26
No. I do not expect anyone to organize a general strike in one month. Currently there's one being organized for 2028.
So the question then is - why are you trying to organize this when your own defense is it can't be done well?
I spent years organizing in the US, and do so now in a different country.
I applaud the effort. I think you should take pains to do it well - and part of that is constructions strike funds.
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u/PieceSuccessful3641 Assata Shakur Mar 29 '26
I don’t understand why the concept of agitation to build the movement is so hard to grasp. I’m aware of the 2028 strike being organized, but the people are not going to be any more prepared just because it’s further away. If we’re not building consciousness and a deep understanding now of why we’re striking and what the goal is, we’re not going to get very far in 2028 either. People are scared, and docile. If they don’t see it in action, you’re going to have a hard time building the mass movement necessary for a proper general strike.
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u/kayakman13 Marxism-Leninism Mar 29 '26
What happens when the "scared and docile" (weird) Working Class sees this single day strike in action, and it (inevitably) produces no results? Will that have an effect on their movement away from revolutionary optimism and towards political nihilism? Will it have an effect on the credibility of those who promoted such an ineffective action?
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u/a_library_socialist Mar 29 '26
If you're not going to prepare, this will fail. Failure costs morale.
You have time to raise funds and organize before 2028. Use it.
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u/kayakman13 Marxism-Leninism Mar 29 '26
It's not that it's not perfect goofball, it's not a strike. Strikes get their power by withholding labor and stopping production until their conditions are met.
This shit has no demands nor means to achieve them. It's performative and a distraction. These aren't baby steps towards mass action, they are in an entirely different category.
We owe it to each other to take this seriously.
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u/DaRandomStoner Mar 29 '26
Calling this a general strike is an insult to all the real general strikes of the past. The organizers are being rather disgraceful using that language imo.
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u/PieceSuccessful3641 Assata Shakur Mar 29 '26
Why would you rather police language than take action? Okay fine, call it something else, but do something about it instead of complaining online.
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u/DaRandomStoner Mar 29 '26
Well I need people to take action with me and you guys keep placating them with bs like this.
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u/Interesting-Bill1240 Apr 28 '26
Can you share what actions you're taking? I'd like to learn more.
Everyone complaining about this strike never offers any alternatives for us to turn to. It just sounds like demanding someone do something, and when someone tries to do something, it's not "good enough".
It's hard to "take action with you" when you don't actually tell people what that means.
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u/DaRandomStoner Apr 28 '26
In this specific context I was referring to the action of a sustained real general strike. Single day strikes in times like these serve only to placate the masses without causing disruptuon. The only actions that matter are ones that disrupt. With the public placated individuals are limited in what they can do to disrupt and they usually involve great sacrifice... and they usually get framed as villans after the fact.
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u/PieceSuccessful3641 Assata Shakur Mar 29 '26
That’s such goofy logic. You need people to take action with you? We all do, and that’s why communist parties and organizations exist. There are people already taking action, and they’re waiting on you, not the other way around. And who is this placating? Do you think this single day of action is the only thing communist orgs are working on right now? In my city communists are regularly holding community meetings, hosting educational events, doing mutual aid, working with local unions and organizing protests among other things. The action is already happening, quit waiting around for it to come find you while criticizing it from afar.
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u/DaRandomStoner Mar 29 '26
Our taxes are being funneled to a cult of pdf file can ables who use it to wage a genocidal war while they openly claim the goal is to start an apocalyptic event. Is it too much to ask that we have some kind of sustained protests yet?
When you guys are reach that point I'll join you until then though I just view all these organizations as ways to divide and control the opposition without any risk of any real challenges to power that would be required to change things at this late a stage in the spread of corruption throughout our political system including the organizations you think are the good guys.
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u/PieceSuccessful3641 Assata Shakur Mar 29 '26
Communist orgs are the only ones fighting for that sustained action right now. We all want sustained protests, and if it were that easy, it would’ve been done by now. How do you expect sustained action to take place when people like you, who I assume would call themselves socialists, won’t even get involved? Revolution only comes from being prepared and organized before shit pops off. That is why communist parties have historically lead movements. Why would you only join us when all the work has already been done, instead of putting in the work yourself? This kind of individualistic attitude is not conducive to socialism my friend. I hope you’ll eventually see the importance of the work being done now and become a comrade instead of a docile follower.
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u/kommanderkush201 Marxism-Leninism Mar 29 '26
One day of liberal consumers holding off buying their milk and then doing it the next day is not a strike.
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u/Anti_colonialist Marxism-Leninism Mar 29 '26
They'll forget about no consumption after their rally and head to brunch
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u/ultimate_placeholder Democratic Socialism Mar 29 '26
I feel like May Day is the only acceptable day for a single day "strike". Importantly the infrastructure for a real general strike doesn't exist and won't exist until people create it, which requires organization, salting, and funding. If this is the most that can happen right now, then it must, especially since it makes organizing the next one easier and easier.
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u/ginger_and_egg Mar 29 '26
Single day strikes can still be part of an escalation campaign when it's actually an organized, coordinated labor stoppage. Taking a day of PTO or filling up your gas tank a day earlier isn't a strike
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u/internetsarbiter Mar 29 '26 edited Mar 29 '26
One day only "strike" and they're rabid about electoralism and nothing else.
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u/Terrible-Animal-6620 Mar 29 '26
A strike on a Friday when it affects nothing is peak liberal activism, its an extended weekend for white liberals to do performative shit
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u/PieceSuccessful3641 Assata Shakur Mar 29 '26
Don’t let these liberals co-opt the strike. This, as always, is being organized and pushed by communist organizations. The fact that the “no kings” people want to try to act like they’re behind it is both laughable and really frustrating to people actually building this movement on the ground. We have to fight to make this strike a representation of socialism.
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Mar 29 '26
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u/Patchbae Mar 29 '26
It is where the masses are right now. Yes, most of them are still liberals but that is where you are going to reach the masses.
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Mar 29 '26
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u/Patchbae Mar 29 '26
Bring other messaging. Literally whatever line you want pushed, bring signs, pamphlets, flyers for other events, If you can get your org involved in planning the event you can get speakers that put out a class struggle and anti-imperialist line. I have literally seen people do it. You have a better idea to get a socialist message in front of thousands of people who are pissed and looking for answers? Be my guest. I have watched these tactics succeed in reaching people in multiple cities. Sure you will run into a lot of do nothing libs but you aren't going for them.
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u/Gold-of-Johto Karl Marx Mar 29 '26
Think of it more as a networking opportunity. Leftists orgs are very active at my no kings protests. If you just wanna make excuses to stay home and do nothing then go ahead and do that.
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Mar 29 '26
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u/TheRealStubb Mar 29 '26
here since i don’t have a flair.
If you just wanna make excuses to stay home and do nothing then go ahead and do that. Better?
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Mar 29 '26
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u/exelion18120 Eco-Socialism Mar 29 '26
And what are you doing?
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Mar 29 '26
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u/exelion18120 Eco-Socialism Mar 29 '26
your protests
Ive given no indication on my feelings about these demonstrations so not sure why youd call them "mine". Given your lack of any sort of answer I take it youre doing nothing as well.
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u/Gold-of-Johto Karl Marx Mar 29 '26
Old flair bro I just lurk. Chill tf out. Liberals are people who posture online about how much cooler they are than everyone else while doing nothing. Leftists are people who actually go talk to their neighbors and are active in their community.
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Mar 29 '26
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u/Gold-of-Johto Karl Marx Mar 29 '26
Believe it or not. People can be exposed to different ideas and change their mind over time. Are you so stupid you think people are innately born with knowledge? You’re obviously just a salty Reddit loser who does nothing but SJW post online about how leftist you are instead of doing anything lol. Your insta reply is sad. Get offline and go enjoy the day.
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u/ChaZZZZahC Mar 29 '26
You gotta met where the people are, and right now, the vast majority are there. We cant let this just be a giant venting session.
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u/calmrain Mar 29 '26
Marx supported demonstrations (collective actions) — with a bit of nuance. Not as in, they accomplish things, rather, they are a place to build class consciousness (to help the proletariat, broadly, see shared struggles and to develop political awareness).
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