Communists gear up for 26th National Convention

by Judith LeBlanc

This article was reprinted from the February 3, 1996 issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

NEW YORK - Before shopping for beer and pretzels for their Super Bowl parties, the Communist Party members took time out last weekend to gather in union halls, community centers and auditoriums to organize for their 26th National Convention to be held in Cleveland, Ohio on March 1-3.

In Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, the delegates met to discuss plans for the great class battle to defeat the Republicans in the 1996 elections and to pick up the momentum of organizing a mass Communist Party. During the next three weekends the remaining state organizations will meet and finalize local preparations for the national convention.

The delegates' experiences spanned decades of struggles in the labor and people's movements. Some who participated had joined the Party over the Internet, others joined at the conventions that day.

All the delegates shared the common commitment to defeat the Contract on America and the Republican "program slashers" in Congress.

Jazz bands, singing, a teen dance and good humor at the expense of House Speaker Newt Gingrich and some the 75 targeted Congressional Republican incumbents made the Party's state conventions a mix of discussion and a good time for all.

In New York, CPUSA National Chair Gus Hall spoke to more than 100 delegates about the needs of a Party that is growing by the thousands at a time when a broad mass upsurge is in the making.

Hall said, "A mass party is very different from a small party. We have to be more innovative to consolidate and involve the new members. Every meeting must take up some kind of struggle along with an educational discussion. Now every club should take up how to defeat the Republicans. Left candidacies, Communist candidacies must fit into the structure of defeating the Contract on America and changing the composition of Congress."

In Michigan the meeting heard from workers on strike against the Detroit newspapers. In Pennsylvania and Rhode Island the discussion highlighted the tremendous response the People's Weekly World is receiving. Donations to support the pro- working class coverage are given by longshoreman and at an auto parts plant in the Philadelphia area. The weekly distribution after mass at a Catholic church in the Providence was one example used to show the need to boldly reach the grassroots with the message of unity in struggle.

In Florida, delegates spoke about the next steps in strengthening the Cuba solidarity movement. Members took note of the new atmosphere and opportunities to organize rising tide of sentiments against the anti-communist, illegal blockade of Cuba.

Delegates to the national convention will bring the heart and soul of the struggles around the country - including the historic surge in membership in the Communist Party - to the floor of the convention. New members elected to their first national convention will make a contribution towards taking the Party into its next stage.

If these meetings were any indication of the spirit and determination of Party members efforts, the Communist Party has a very bright future.