Celebrating Zinn’s legacy

URBANA, Ill.--The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) branch of the International Socialist Organization, along with local activists from a wide range of struggles, came together to remember historian Howard Zinn by putting on a live performance of The People Speak on January 27.

The event, which was attended by close to 60 students, activists and community members, was intended to celebrate the life and work of Howard Zinn, who passed away one year ago. Proceeds benefited the Center for Economic Research and Social Change (CERSC), Haymarket Books and The People Speak. The event was also generously hosted by the Red Herring, a local venue and restaurant.

Nearly 15 local activists involved in a range of struggles performed at the event, reading from selections that stretched the long radical history of the U.S., with words from abolitionist Frederick Douglass and socialist Eugene Debs, to war resister Camilo Mejia and journalist Amy Goodman. Each of the performances was electrifying and highlighted a different aspect of America's proud history of struggle.

Performances of note included Frederick Douglass' speech "The Meaning of July Fourth to the Negro" by UIUC student Bide Akande; a performance of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Ohio" by Andrew Zimmerer; and the final reading from Amy Goodman's lecture "Independent Media in a Time of War" by community member Nancy Dietrich.

The final reading--about the importance of independent media--was particularly poignant and served as a reminder as to why organizations like CERSC and Haymarket Books are important in the fight against the "state-run media system of the United States."

Another particularly memorable moment was when local Egyptian activists announced a local protest in solidarity with the people of Egypt, who are revolting against U.S.-backed dictator Hosni Mubarak. The standing-room-only crowd broke out into cheers. This was just one of the ways in which the event highlighted the link between struggles of the past and those of the present.