MLK Day in Seattle, 2026

[Frank]

4,000 people marched in Seattle, possibly as many as 5,000. All ages, races or nationalities. Lots of signs—usually homemade—denouncing ICE and supporting other progressive causes. No trade union contingents, which is unusual. There seemed to be more peace and love stuff, but maybe I conclude that because I was near a contingent centered on such things. All the left groups were there except the RCP and PSL. (If the latter two showed up, they were very, very late. And PSL used to be on the MLK Day organizing committee!) WWP's Jim also seemed to be missing. ILPS had the largest contingent.

I spent my time collecting literature and talking with a few people. And I was especially interested in what was being said about events in Iran and Venezuela.

Socialist Alternative's D and I talked about the recent events in Venezuela and Iran, and we seemed to agree on supporting the masses in both countries against their domestic and foreign exploiters. And he was contemptuous of WWP's call to support the Islamic Republic: “There are only two sides. … You either stand with Iran as it defends its sovereignty, or you stand with U.S. imperialism and Zionism, which are actively working to destabilize Iran through sanctions, riots, terrorism and information warfare. There is no middle ground. …” Etc.

D also explained to me that Kshama Sawant left SA something like 1 ½ years ago, and is running against Rep. Adam Smith with little organization behind her. On the other hand, when she ran for City Council, SA brought in people from all over the country and world to campaign for her door to door. He was dubious about her chances.

D eventually found the SA literature table, which only had 2-3 people behind it. They had a little flyer saying SEATTLE STANDS WITH MINNEAPOLIS SUPPORT THEIR STRIKE! ICE OUT FOR GOOD FRI JAN 23 @ 6 PM FEDERAL BUILDING (915 2ND AVE)

There was a young man passing out a small FSP flyer advertising one of their meetings who said he just joined the group. On Iran he said their line was to oppose U.S. intervention and installation of an US-Israeli backed Pahlavi tyranny. I said that we should do that for sure, but I thought the center of socialist agitation should be supporting the mass uprising. What does FSP say about it? He referred me to their table inside the building where more experienced people were. Well, the table was inside, with the hallway too packed to get near it. So I later checked the Freedom Socialist but found it had been printed long before the December 28 beginning of the Iranian protests.

Since PSL wasn't there, I later checked out their newspaper and statements. There was nothing about the present Iranian upsurge that is now being drowned in blood. But one article commemorating the anniversary the Iranian revolution that was written a few years ago plays up Khomeini, says the referendum on creating an Islamic Republic was overwhelmingly approved and the like. They go on that the Iranian Revolution “not only kicked the U.S. out, it also changed the geopolitical landscape and power balance in West Asia. For 46 years now, despite severe economic sanctions imposed by Washington and the whole imperialist camp, the Iranian people still assert their right to self-determination and are aiding others in the region to do so as well.” Well, Iran itself is a regional imperialist, and the “others” it has aided include Bashar Assad, the butcher of the Syrian people.

I saw one young woman the crowd with a sign saying “Support the Iranian peoples' uprising,” but I never got a chance to approach her.

FRSO was handing a small national leaflet with these headlines: Oppose Trump’s attacks on Venezuela! Solidarity with President Maduro and the Bolivarian Revolution! It's filled with lies and distortions of reality. Some snips from it:

“This time Trump mobilized multiple U.S. Navy missile ships, 4000 marines and sailors, and a nuclear-powered submarine. In response, masses of Venezuelans flocked to join the people’s militias in their communities and at their jobs. The militias are a reserve force of citizen soldiers, the eyes and ears of the revolution, trained under the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela (FANB) to defend their homeland. ...

“While Trump’s attacks are dangerous, the past U.S. provocations and repeated coup attempts against both President Chavez and President Maduro have failed again and again. Instead of hurting the Bolivarian Revolution, the U.S. interventions strengthen it. ...

“President Maduro continues to build and develop an independent and sovereign Venezuela benefiting the people instead of Wall Street capitalists and U.S. oil corporations. The leadership is provided by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), which recently won elections in all but one state. The Bolivarian Revolution has broad support, and people’s participation is reaching an all-time peak due to U.S. threats.”

Well, millions of Venezuelans have left the country, whole sections of the Chavista movement have left it—with many denouncing it, the recent elections were probably won by the right-wing, etc. But forget all that!