The Election of Trump: The political issues facing workers and youth

The Election of Trump: The political issues facing workers and youth

Thursday, December 1 at 7:30pm
61 Evans Hall, UC Berkeley

Protests have erupted throughout the country against the election of Donald Trump. These demonstrations of high school youth, college students and other sections of young people express a deep hostility to the right-wing and xenophobic policies of a future Trump administration and all efforts to divide the population along racial lines.

The sentiments animating the protesters stand in sharp contrast to the response of leading Democratic Party officials who have lined up to wish Trump “success” and pledge their readiness to collaborate with him.

This cowardice of the Democrats before Trump and the far right is a continuation of their role in the election campaign. Clinton ran a right-wing campaign based on scandals and warmongering, directed particularly against Russia. She ran as the continuation of the Obama administration, which has presided over eight years of military violence, growing social inequality and escalating attacks on democratic rights.

Opposition to Trump cannot be carried forward through or in association with the Democratic Party or any of its factions. This longtime party of American imperialism cannot be changed, reformed or “taken back.”

In this meeting, we will discuss the significance and implications of the US presidential elections and the way forward for workers and youth.

Suggested reading for Thursday's class:

The political issues in the campaign for a recount in the US elections
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/11/29/pers-n29.html
Growing concerns in Europe over Trump agenda
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/11/26/pers-n26.html
Republican Congress, Trump plan assault on Medicare
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/11/26/medi-n26.html
Election of Donald Trump foreshadows trade war in Asia
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/11/25/pers-n25.html
Trump to build on Obama’s antidemocratic legacy
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/11/24/obam-n24.html