Brooklyn Liberation Forum: Fighting Gentrification - A Socialist Perspective

In NYC, gentrification has become synonymous with coffee shops, dog walkers, and craft beers. However, by the time the wealthier residents and coffee shops show up, the behind-the-scenes work for gentrification has already taken place. Gentrification is the process of displacing poor people from a community and replacing them with more affluent people, all in the interest of profit. The city works in tandem with slumlords, real estate developers, and bankers to direct this process, and our communities suffer the consequences, as this process is supported by a heavily militarized police, known for their racist brutality and terrorism. History has shown us that capitalism does not guarantee adequate housing, or any of our basic needs unless we fight for it. Join us as we discuss the fight against gentrification from a socialist perspective, and how to secure the socialist vision for housing for all!

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Gains of the Cuban Revolution

The Cuban revolution remains one of the most inspiring and earth shattering events of the 20th century. Cuba’s poor and oppressed masses organized themselves into a formidable fighting force and overthrew the brutal US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959, breaking the chains of colonialism that had long oppressed the Cuban people for decades. But the revolution didn’t end in 1959, the process of constructing a socialist society presented a new phase for the Cuban people. The revolution made extraordinary advances in housing, healthcare, education, environmental sustainability and internationalism, amidst the constant threat of US invasion, terrorism, and the imposition of economic sanctions and an embargo. The Cuban revolution presents many lessons for our struggle today, join us as we discuss them and the way forward!