Communists Host First Kentucky International Workers Day Conference

Members from every club of the Communist Party USA and the Young Communist League met in Louisville on May 1st, 2023, to attend the first annual International Workers Day Conference. Speakers from the Young Communist League at UofL, the Louisville Club, and the Greater Kentucky Club all discussed successes and lessons learned over the past year as the Communist Party USA in Kentucky has rebuilt itself from the ground up. 

Discussions around previous actions, ideological development, and new campaigns for the 2023-2024 cycle were presented, with the Louisville Club titling their presentation as “building the revolutionary counter-offensive.” Gun Violence, LGBT rights, reproductive freedom, police violence, and restructuring of the party presence in Kentucky were the primary topics. The Louisville Club gave Particular care to how the party should approach “unity” as it tries to build itself as the political vehicle of the working masses and the need to construct itself on a scientific basis. It was also stressed that unity for its own sake was equally as dangerous as sectarianism for no clear reason, warning that “If we have no discernable difference between ourselves and any of these other groups, why be we here?” It was clear the question was to encourage the attendees to observe other formations in conjunction with Marxist-Leninist theory to study their successes, flaws, and to ensure that the work of the party is guided by the most advanced theory.

Lastly, the need to identify the distinction between “fascism and white-terror generally” was pressed as it was identified as crucial to avoid the mistakes of the 20th century and opportunism that plagues the international communist movement even today. This was an extension of the topic of unity as the speaker described how the tactics employed by the party must change to the conditions of class forces, and thus how it approaches unity will also change.

The event was limited to members and invitees, with plans to make it a much more public-facing event next year.

By: Jane Reed