Resistance to Trump is discussed at regional Marxism conference

The International Socialist Organization hosted a talk on building resistance under President Donald Trump’s administration at the New England Marxism Conference, which drew over 100 individuals to Boston on Saturday.

Alan Maass, editor of Socialist Worker — a publication delivering news and opinion “from the left” — led the presentation, where he discussed both the rise of socialism in the modern age and different forms of resistance that have arisen in response to the Trump administration.

Prior to the talk, Akunna Eneh, a member of ISO Boston and event volunteer, said the group is composed of revolutionary socialists who believe capitalism is the fundamental source of inequality today.

“We try to do these conferences every year, so we try to respond to what’s going on in the world,” Eneh said. “The biggest thing since last year is the Trump administration and his attack on everybody.”

Eneh said the socialist movement is the only effective alternative to the current administration in terms of left-wing resistance.

“We have a Democratic Party as well that sort of goes along with the Republican Party,” Eneh said. “They still screw us over, so we need a left resistance.”

Maass said during the presentation that socialism is more prominent today than it has been in decades, primarily due to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.

Sanders’ campaign put forth a new set of political issues into mainstream politics that were “completely shut out” for years prior and brought passion to politics, Maass said.

“In his other upsurges of anger … you see something else too, which is an even more important part of socialism, which is the participation of masses of people in changing the conditions of their own life,” Maass said.

Maass noted an article published in Socialist Worker describing the “era of political whiplash,” in which people are stunned by the actions of the Trump administration and lose hope in change as a result.

“That kind of shock and dread that is the product of this era is very, very useful to Donald Trump,” Maass said. “It’s very, very useful to the entire ruling class because it pulls the attention away from the elements of hope, the elements of resistance we can rely on that are necessary for a solution.”

The breaking of silence around sexual assault, seen in the trending #MeToo campaign, is one form of resistance to the capitalist way of life, Maass said.

“By women giving voice and the victims and survivors giving voice to this question, you have a sense of the scope and the anger that’s existed for some time, and it has actually had an unmistakable effect on the question of what’s acceptable and what can be done to change things,” Maass said.

The #TakeAKnee protests by NFL players — expressing support for racial justice — are another example of resistance to Trump coming from a place least expected, Maass said.

Asher Platts, a member of ISO and event volunteer, said prior to the talk that this year’s turnout was bigger than previous years because people are inspired now more than ever to consider alternatives to capitalism.

“The nakedness and severity of the Trump administration is really pushing a lot of people to their limits,” Platts said. “They’re asking a lot of questions and coming to more radical, revolutionary conclusions.”

Several individuals attending the conference said the socialist movement is a necessity in the Trump era.

Robin Chadwell, 19, of Stockbridge, Vermont, said she is interested in joining the Burlington ISO branch and has been participating in its Marxist study group.

“It’s becoming more and more clear through Marxist philosophy, through socialist philosophy, that the current system is not working in the interest of working class people and so … a change has been needed for a really long time,” Chadwell said.

Linda Thompson, 75, of Framingham, said the left-wing resistance is vital because of both Trump’s questionable leadership skills, and the Democratic Party not being what it once was.

“It used to be a home for anybody,” Thompson said. “The Green Party doesn’t believe that, that’s why we’re building a third party.”

Kate Nadel, 24, of Amherst, said Maass’ talk represented the urgency of the conference as a whole and why building a radical left is imperative.

“We need to be that stake on the political spectrum that says our principals are centered around solidarity and liberation for all,” Nadel said. “To me, that’s what building a resistance in the Trump administration is — coming together with your community and being like ‘we’re not going to compromise with racists, we’re not going to compromise with Nazis.’”