The Communist Party convention was a great success

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Dear Friend, Our 29th National Convention is over, and what a convention it was! It was spirited, united, and positive about the future possibilities to build the Communist Party, Young Communist League and the broad democratic movement. From song and spoken word, to bagpipes and drums, it was a convention of politics and culture. It was also a convention of workers (sixty percent of the delegates were trade unionists). Delegates and guests reflected our multiracial working class (over one-third were racially oppressed). Thanks in part to a large contingent from the Young Communist League many delegates were young. In fact, twenty percent of delegates and guests were attending their first convention. National Chairperson Sam Webb’s opening report reaffirmed the importance of working with labor and its allies to build a broad, democratic coalition to defend and extend the gains made in 2008. He emphasized the need to defeat the right-wing attempt to regain power in the November midterm elections. He also placed importance on building the fight against the economic crisis and the struggle for jobs. Sam's report was also broadcast by C-SPAN this past Memorial Day. A Spanish-language version of Sam's report is in the works. Stay tuned. Art Perlo, chair of the party’s Economics Commission, delivered an excellent multimedia presentation on the economic crisis and what needs to be done to overcome it. The video is now available on the website and can be presented in local unions and community groups to stimulate action for jobs. A report from the Peace and Solidarity Commission on the fight for peace, ending war and abolishing nuclear weapons, generated a good discussion on the floor of the convention. Communist and workers parties around the globe sent their greetings to the Convention wishing the delegates success in the deliberations and congratulating the Communist Party on 90 years of struggle. Minh Tien Nguyen, Deputy Ambassador to the United States from the Republic of Vietnam spoke to the Convention representing the Vietnamese Communist Party. Defeating the right-wing's use of racism and anti-immigrant hysteria was seen as critical to success in both the electoral and economic arenas. Communist Party Executive Vice-Chair Jarvis Tyner’s report on the fight for racial equality and against racism gave hope to our ability to overcome and defeat racism. There were three plenary panel discussions: the 2010 elections (which included two current council members, one former one and one who came within 300 votes of being elected), building the labor-led fight for jobs and building the Party, YCL and our online media. All were a big hit. Joelle Fishman, chair of the Political Action Commission, delivered a special report on the 2010 election to the Convention delegates. Many special guests, allies and friends attended the convention, delivered fond greetings or messages of solidarity with the party at the Convention. On the final night of the convention we had a fantastic celebration of our 90th anniversary, which included music and politics. You can find a full list of the various decisions, resolutions and accomplishments of our convention below. We hope to visit the website, read some of the reports and resolutions, view some of the videos and spread the word. Even if you were not able to attend the Convention, we hope you are able to share in its enthusiasm and action. It is also not too late to make a contribution to the Convention Fund and the ongoing work of the Communist Party. This Convention was completely financed by the delegates, other members of the Communist Party USA and our supporters. We have no sponsors or underwriters but working-class men and women like you. Thanks to all who helped make the 29th National Convention a truly great political event. We look forward to the exciting and important struggles ahead. Join us as we move forward united! John Rummel & Joelle Fishman Co-Chairs, Convention Organizing Committee Results from the Communist Party's 29th National Convention  Main Report: A way out of the deepening crisis by Sam Webb VIDEO: Sam Webb's opening remarks at the Convention VIDEO: Sam Webb's closing remarks from the Convention Special Convention Reports Report on Political Action & the 2010 Elections Report on the Fight for Equality Report on the Struggle for Peace Report from the Constitution Committee Report from the Program Committee Report on the Young Communist League VIDEO: Report on the Fight for Jobs Resolutions Adopted at the Convention Communist Party Resolves: Jobs is the defining issue Communist Party Resolves: Build united action against racism and for unity Communist Party Resolves: All hands on deck for the 2010 midterm elections Communist Party Resolves: Immigrant rights is a struggle for democracy Communist Party Resolves: End the wars - fund human needs not militarism Communist Party Resolves: Build the party, press and YCL International Greetings Greetings from fraternal and friendly parties worldwide Ninetieth Anniversary Celebration VIDEO: 90th Anniversary musical and political event Coverage of the Convention by the People's World Communist Party convention opens in new York CPUSA delegates eye November Elections Highlights from CPUSA's 29th Convention C-SPAN broadcasts CPUSA convention keynote Communist Party USA 235 W 23rd St | New York, NY 10011 cpusa@cpusa.org | www.cpusa.org

U.S. missile system has come to Poland

 U.S. Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment train Polish service members on preventive maintenance for the Patriot missile system in Morag, Poland, June 2, 2010. This is the first time a U.S. missile system has come to Poland for a rotational training program. The program is intended to improve Polish air defense capabilities while also developing the skills of U.S. Army Patriot missile system crews. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Lawree Roscoe Washington Jr., U.S. Army/Released)

Interpreting a portion of a speech

U.S. Navy Yeoman 1st Class Ursula Wilson, right, interprets a portion of a speech given by Panamanian Aeronaval Col. L.E. Ruiz during a closing ceremony for Southern Partnership Station (SPS) Panama aboard High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) June 3, 2010, in Rodman-Balboa, Panama. SPS is a deployment of specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility with the goal of information sharing with navies, coast guards and civilian services throughout the region. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kim Williams, U.S. Navy/Released)

The Midway atoll

The Midway atoll is shown June 2, 2010, during a ceremony marking the 68th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway was fought between 4 and 7 June 1942 and was an important naval battle of World War II. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico, U.S. Navy/Released)

Gates talks with the press

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates talks with members of the press during the 9th International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia Security Summit, the Shangri-La Dialogues, in Singapore June 4, 2010. (DoD photo by Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Act now to lift ban on travel to Cuba!

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Dear Friend, The Communist Party joins the many nonprofit organizations, churches and advocacy groups and people everywhere that call for an end to the U.S. ban on travel to Cuba. The travel ban is a violation of the U.S. people’s right to travel and to see Cuba for themselves. We believe that lifting the ban will encourage friendship between the U.S. and Cuban peoples. It is a matter of basic rights. Ending the travel ban is a demand that all people can agree on regardless of their political views, be they Left, Right or Center. We also believe it is an important first step toward ending the illegal and unprecedented nearly 50-year blockade of Cuba, which deprives the Cuban people of essential goods, trade and economic opportunities and deprives U.S. farmers, businesses and people of needed trade. Now is our chance! New legislation — the Peterson-Moran bill — has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to restore the right of U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), Congressman Jerry Moran (R-KS) have introduced HR 4645, and at least 50 of their House colleagues are cosponsoring. We call on everyone to call their congressional representatives to congratulate and support those who are on broad and encourage those who are not to sponsor he bill today. You can easily send your message to Congress by using the online action tools at the Latin American Working Group. For more on the bill, read the article on HR 4645 in the People's World. Communist Party USA 235 W 23rd St | New York, NY 10011 cpusa@cpusa.org | www.cpusa.org

Mullen Lauds Civilian Efforts

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanks those who work mine-esistant, ambush-protected vehicles in Charleston, S.C., June 3, 2010. Mullen addressed the workers and congratulated them on reaching a milestone: producing the 25,000th vehicle to leave the factory. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad McNeeley : Read full story  

Communist Party condemns attack by Israel

CPUSA Denounces Israeli Attack on Unarmed Humanitarian Convoy The Communist Party of the United States of America (CPUSA) denounces the cowardly and illegal attack by Israeli commandos on a flotilla of six ships bearing humanitarian aid to the people ofGaza, who have been suffering under a multi-year Israeli blockade. Though the Israeli government claims they were attacked first, eyewitness accounts contradict this. At least nine and perhaps many more of the unarmed civilian volunteers, from several countries, were killed in the unprovoked attack, which took place in international waters on ships flying the Turkish and U.S. flags. The CPUSA joins with nations, parties, organizations and people of goodwill everywhere in denouncing the attack and demanding an end to the inhumane blockade of Gaza, which has caused incalculable suffering to innocent men, women and children. Further, the CPUSA congratulates the brave individuals, who include a Holocaust survivor, an Irish Nobel laureate and several retired U.S. civil and military officials as well as citizens of as many as 50 nations, who put their own lives on the line by accompanying the humanitarian flotilla. The CPUSA expresses our sympathy and solidarity with the families of the people who were killed in the illegal Israeli action. The CPUSA further demands: An accounting by the Israeli government for this violation of international law, with punishment for those who ordered and perpetrated it, no matter how high their position. The release of all persons detained in the illegal action, and authorization for the humanitarian aid to continue in safety to its destination in Gaza. An end to the illegal and inhumane blockade of Gaza. An end to the expansion of Israeli settlements in areas designated for a future Palestinian state, and to the “apartheid wall”. An end to the oppression of the Palestinian people in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Firm action by the Obama administration to pressure the Israeli regime to engage in honest negotiations toward the creation of a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank. The Obama administration has the leverage to do this and should use it forcefully The CPUSA urges its members and friends to initiate and join public protests against the Israeli action, and to contact the White House, the State Department and their congressional representatives to demand that our government condemn the attack on the aid ships and pressure the Israeli government to end the blockade of Gaza immediately. Communist Party International Department   Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamhelweh/ / CC BY-ND 2.0 Communist Party USA 235 W 23rd St | New York, NY 10011 cpusa@cpusa.org | www.cpusa.org