People's Freedom Caravan: the road home

After much discussion and debate, the U.S. Social Forum culminated on the final day of events with the National People’s Movement Assembly, a forum for collectively developed resolutions that demonstrate action steps to affect change on both local and systemic levels. As resolutions on topics such as immigration reform, climate justice, food sovereignty, and gender justice (among many others) were read aloud to the crowd at Cobo Hall, the solidarity and excitement were pulsating through the space. Standing ovations, chants, hollers, applause, cheers. The momentum was riding high from the entire People’s Freedom Caravan and U.S.S.F. experience, and a sense of restored community, purpose, and hope filled the air.

As we piled back on the bus the next day, with the lack of sleep still not having set in, we decided to reflect on our personal favorite and most impactful moments. One by one, the caravanistas walked to the front of the bus and got their turn on the mic. We listened to these meaningful personal reflections that in reality were just beginning to be digested and processed as Detroit faded from view.

The People’s Freedom Caravan landed back in San Antonio one week ago in the middle of the night. Exhausted and renewed, the caravanistas parted ways. But it was at this moment that the challenge began– the personal and communal challenge to live up to our commitment to affect change, and the challenge to live up to our own belief that another world is possible and another U.S. is necessary. We must add on to the tightly woven fabric of our shared experience but others must also continue it.

But how will these changes, actions, and commitments manifest themselves? How will we keep our renewed hope and solidarity alive? And what will it take to keep it alive in our communities and the communities who shared their stories with us along the way? How do we create meaning for those who could not make the journey? As fighters, activists, organizers, community members, and sisters and brothers, we must ask ourselves these questions because we are aware that we are all connected and that our change and action will create reaction.

One week of being home is not enough time to understand what will ultimately be set in motion, but for me, I know it starts with us and it starts at home, wherever that may be, and from there it spreads, expands, and runs....

Si se puede!!

Come join the SWU crew and local delegates from the People's Freedom Caravan/U.S.S.F. for a community report back gathering, Friday July 9 at 1414 E. Commerce (SWU office) from 5-8pm. We invite everyone to come share their experiences and ideas, and for community members to ask questions, and together, to begin the process of discussing What Is Next.