Communist and socialist groups call for ‘revolution’ and seizure of property at Minneapolis May Day rally

Communist and socialist groups called for “revolution” at a May 1 rally in Minneapolis on Friday, underscoring the growing influence of far-left organizations at an event traditionally centered on the socialist movement. worker rights.

Some of these demonstrators denounced capitalism and pressed for the seizure of private property and the means of production; this marked a different tone from past May 1 rallies, which focused primarily on labor issues.

Protesters on the ground highlighted a range of demands, including rent caps based on income, a shorter working week and a redistribution of wealth from billionaires. The rally was attended by over 1000 people. immigrant rights The demonstration, however, brought together a broad mix of labor unions, activist organizations and far-left political groups who marched side by side.

Among the groups present were: Communist Party USAMembers of the Freedom Trail Socialist Organization (FRSO), Revolutionary Communists of America (RCA), Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) were seen carrying flags and signs with socialist images such as hammers and sickles in large numbers.

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Members of the Communist Party USA, including “Down with Trump’s War!” They were seen distributing newspapers and brochures, including a publication titled “Communist”.

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Demonstrators held signs reading “F–k ICE,” “Abolish ICE,” “Fight Against Trump’s Agenda,” “No to Kings” and “Stop the War,” while others waved red flags affiliated with the Communist Party USA and held signs bearing hammers and sickles, including signs for the Revolutionary Communists of America.

A Fox News Digital investigation previously identified the US-born tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham, currently alive In China, he is a key figure in a network linked to some far-left groups participating in the protests, as part of a broader mobilization involving nearly 600 organizations across the country.

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But demonstrators interviewed in Minneapolis said they were largely unaware of it or ignored its concerns about funding.

Andy Koch, a member of the Freedom Trail Socialist Organization, told Fox News Digital that the United States is “run by billionaires” and should be run by workers instead. He said support from a wealthy donor would be acceptable if the cause was furthered.

“If a billionaire wants to donate to pro-worker progressive causes, that’s great,” Koch said.

When asked about examples of successful socialist systems, Koch pointed to China and said, “China is doing pretty well right now,” and praised the former Soviet Union for “doing a lot for its people.”

Members of the Revolutionary Communists of America were also present, and one protester said he had been “radicalized” following her death in 2020. george floyd.

Protesters said, “We are calling for “Down with Trump and down with the Democrats.”

Demonstrations in Minneapolis come months later large-scale anti-ICE protests Friday’s May Day events reflect similar themes tied to immigration enforcement and broader economic concerns.

The march, organized as an immigrant rights demonstration, included the slogan “Immigrants Stand Up! Workers Unite!” It was organized with the slogan. and the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC).

A MIRAC speaker chanted “No one is illegal” and “All power to the people”, while much of the crowd echoed these slogans.

The event began with organizers and speakers affiliated with the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) chanting and addressing the crowd from a makeshift stage; Dancers wearing indigenous costumes were also there. Socialist and communist groups initially rallied behind the crowd, but later joined the march, lining up behind immigrant rights organizers as demonstrators advanced through the city.

A significant contingent from socialist and communist groups marched alongside the organizers, underlining the ideological overlap at the event.

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Flags throughout the march reflected a wide range of causes and affiliations, including Palestinian flags, LGBTQ pride images, and banners associated with socialist and communist groups.

Highly visible police officers affiliated with protest groups led the march and blocked side streets; Little or no police presence was seen along much of the route.

Another protester, who identified as a communist, said the current system was a “dead end” and argued that “workers create all the value in society, and under capitalism we can have none of that.” He said the group supports policies such as income-related rent caps and capping rent at 10% of wages.

When asked about rent control policies In cities such as New York and California, where such measures have faced criticism, one woman said those efforts failed because they were not “under workers’ control.”

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“This doesn’t work under capitalism. We need a society under workers’ control,” he said.

Owen Phernetton, a member of the Revolutionary Communists of America, said the group was “building a party of class warriors” and argued that “we need a revolution on a socialist basis.”

He said the organization supports the seizure of property, including factories, mines and office space, and placing them in the ownership of the working class.

“We advocate reducing the working day to just 20 hours a week without loss of wages,” he said.

He added that billionaire wealth should be “nationalized and used for the working class” and cited the Soviet Union as an example.

Several Minneapolis City Council members, mostly affiliated with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), attended the rally and read a non-binding resolution recognizing May 1 as International Workers’ Day. During the remarks, one speaker linked labor issues to immigration policy, telling the crowd, “We must abolish ICE.”

WATCH: Communist Party presence noted at Minneapolis May 1 demonstration

Jason Chavez read portions of the resolution along with council members Elliott Payne, Aurin Chowdhury, Soren Stevenson and Jamal Osman. Council member Robin Wonsley was also there.

Not all observers supported the texting.

Sedonia Meyers, who said she was watching from the sidewalk, described herself as a “very centrist individual” and said immigration should follow a legal process.

“If you want to be a citizen… you should work hard… and do the proper steps,” she said, adding that the US must “vet the people that come into this country” to ensure public security.

Two other older women observing nearby also welcomed the presence of communist and socialist groups, describing the rally as a “big tent” and emphasizing that there was “room for everyone,” though she did not support calls to abolish ICE.

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The protest ended without major disruption, with demonstrators marching through the city in largely good spirits. The marching band played upbeat music as participants moved along the route, but speakers used stronger rhetoric as they outlined their demands.

Earlier in the day, smaller meetings had limited attendance, including a union-led rally at Government Plaza, which one union leader described as a union meeting “without any connection to the broader protests.”

Original article source: Communist and socialist groups call for ‘revolution’ and property seizures at Minneapolis May 1 rally