Convention Press

They still call each other "comrade". They still sing the socialist Internationale. But most of all, they are still around.

Members of the Communist Party of the USA, which was hounded during the McCarthyite political witch-hunts of the 1950s and marginalised by the cold war, gathered in Chicago earlier this week to mark the anniversary of their party's founding in the city in 1919.

The Communist Party USA wound up its convention here in a fighting mood July 3, with the 450 participants vowing to pour their energies into blocking the ultra-right effort to take over the Supreme Court.

“This is a key struggle,” CPUSA National Chair Sam Webb said in closing remarks. The ultra-right “wants to lock in control of that court,” he said. “Perhaps they will begin with reproductive rights, but they won’t stop there.”

More than 300 Communist Party USA members joined the picket line of UNITE HERE Local 1 at the Congress Hotel on July 2. The workers have been forced on strike for the past two years.

The picket line action was held as part of the CPUSA’s 28th National Convention here. The picket line was loud and lively. Participants shouted, “2, 4, 6, 8 — help us negotiate!” “No Justice, No Peace!” and carried picket signs.

"This morning I had a chance to listen to some of the final sessions of the CPUSA convention. The session included a trade union panel and credentials report..." -- Walter Lippmann is a writer, photographer and activist, who directs the CubaNews list, a free e-mail service.

A delegation of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) led by Vu Quoc Hung, member of the Party Central Committee and Vice Chairman of its Inspection Commission, attended the 28th National Convention of the Communist Party, USA (CPUSA) in Chicago, the US, from July 1-3.

Senator Joe McCarthy may be turning over in his grave, but communists are alive and well in the United States - and meeting in Chicago this weekend.

(Chicago)— The 28th National Convention of the Communist Party, USA concluded here yesterday with the election of the organization’s new National Committee and the unanimous reelection of Sam Webb as National Chairman.

(Chicago)— The 28th National Convention of the
Communist Party, USA was convened here this morning.
Nearly 500 delegates and guests crowded into the main
hall at the historic Palmer House Hotel to hear the
opening remarks by Party Chairman Sam Webb.

(Chicago)—Nearly five hundred communists and allies will gather here this weekend in the city’s historic Palmer House Hilton. The Communist Party, USA, (CPUSA) which was founded in Chicago eighty-five years ago, is hosting its 28th National Convention July 1-3.