Contact: Libero Della Piana,
(cell) 917-710-1814, (email) communications@cpusa.org
Communist Party National Convention Opens Today
Chairman Webb Says “Socialism is Necessary and
Possible”
(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.
Webb noted that the convention is being held on
Independence Day Weekend, a holiday where millions of
Americans celebrate the revolution that gave birth to
the United States. “Revolutions are never complete,”
said Webb. He argued that the Communist Party seeks a
new revolution that will fulfill the democratic
promise and ideals of the American Revolution.
Webb said that President George W. Bush and his
extreme rightwing policies are a threat to the
democratic traditions of the United States. “Not since
the Great Depression of the 1930s has the working
class experienced such an assault on its living
standards, rights, and conditions of work,” said Webb.
“While Bush won by a sliver, he was denied a popular
mandate for his reactionary policies.”
“We communists feel very strongly about Social
Security, a program whose roots we helped plant in the
fight for workers’ rights and lives,” said Webb. “We
say to the right-wingers: Hands off Social Security!”
From tax breaks for the wealthy, to attacks on
affirmative action, to the war in Iraq, the Bush
administration is hostile to the needs of working
Americans, Webb argued.
Racism is alive and well in U.S. life, said Webb.
Discrimination, social and economic inequality, and
racial profiling are persistent across the country.
Once again he targeted Bush administration policies:
“On the strength of his record, Bush is a racist
president. Scratch George Bush and you will find the
ghost of Strom Thurmond.” Strom Thurmond was the
notorious segregationist US Senator from South
Carolina.
Webb reminded the assembly of the Communist Party’s
long history of struggle against racism and all
oppression. “We are resolute fighters for racial and
gender equity and against racism and male supremacy.
We defend gay and lesbian rights and oppose
homophobia. We are convinced that socialism is both
necessary and possible.”
The convention will conclude on Sunday after electing
a new National Committee.
Transcript of Sam Webb’s speech is available from the
Communist Party web page, www.cpusa.org.
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