Young Communist Leage on the move

by Special to the World

This article was reprinted from the June 1, 1996 issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

In a time when young people are characterized as mindless, nihilistic slackers, a new generation of revolutionaries is leading the fight against racism, sexism, and unemployment.

The Young Communist League (YCL) is an organization of women and men, Black, Brown and white, dedicated to fighting capitalism - the system in which the majority go without and wealth is concentrated in the hands of the few, and to replace it with socialism - where the wealth is held in common.

"I live in the ghetto and here young people are mad," said Ibrahim Muhammad, an activist in Arizona. "It's important for organizations like the Young Communist League to educate youth so that their anger can be used to build a socialist society."

Recently the YCL participated in the 26th National Convention of the Communist Party in Cleveland, Ohio. There young leaders were schooled in the ways of struggle by veteran Communists.

"When I left Cleveland, I felt nothing but excitement and motivation. I had so many ideas of how to organize when I got home." said Carol King, a YCLer in New York who went to the convention.

Many in the YCL did put their ideas into action. On April 14, the San Francisco YCL led a militant contingent in a national "Fight the Right" march. In New York, the YCL participated in the battle against cuts in higher education. The YCL are among those who Stand for Children today in Washington D.C.

"It's important to unite youth to fight the right," said YCL Education Coordinator David Mirtz. "Every time we go to a demonstration we receive a positive response to our newspaper, Dynamic. I think young people are in a militant mood and the YCL is there with them."

Across the nation the young people are establishing YCL clubs in their high schools, colleges and neighborhoods, making it one of the fastest growing youth organizations. What is the future of the YCL? "The sky's the limit," said King.

To join the YCL, contact the YCL National Office at 235 West 23rd St, NY, NY 10011, phone 212-741-2016 or e-mail 'yclusa@igc.apc.org'.