From: Moses Fleischman Date: March 21, 2025 Subject: OSA Newsletter
THE OSA newsletter
MAR 2025
Events This Week!
OSA Regional Training
Develop your organizing skills, connect with fellow activists, and prepare impactful campaigns. This is a great opportunity to learn grassroots political organizing from experienced organizers!
A PSA about the Revcoms from CWRU OSA
The following is important information for all CWRU OSA members relating to the Revcoms. A small group of community members who occasionally show up to our events are associated with this national organization. We think it's important that all our members are aware of who the Revcoms are and know how to handle interactions with this group.
Who are the RevComs?
The “Revolutionary Communist Party USA”, “RCP”, or “the Revcoms” is a nationwide Marxist-Leninist party that while being technically controlled by a Central Committee, is de facto led by the doctrines of one Bob Avakian. You may have seen that name in promotional flyers or posters around campus. In the RCP’s own words, Avakian is a “special, rare, unique, and irreplaceable” person, of the “caliber” of a Marx, Lenin, or Mao. His “new synthesis” of communism is the guiding principle of the Revcoms, who see him as much more of a prophet than a leader. No doubt, the RCP is a cult of personality surrounding Avakian. Despite this they remain an important group fighting against fascism in the U.S.
What other groups are associated closely with the Revcoms?
Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights and Refuse Fascism are two currently active organizations which have ties to the RCP.
How does CWRU OSA recommend handling interactions with Revcoms?
While they are certainly a cult, in the present moment the Revcoms are fighting for similar causes as OSA. Their members do take part in mass actions and help build movements. Ostracizing them from participating in our events will only hurt us. However, we do not recommend giving Revcom members your contact information or donating to them. We do recommend educating your fellow organizers about the RCP, maybe even sharing this blurb with them!
For more information, read this CounterPunch article about the RCP
News This Week!
FEDERAL
Trump admin deports Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador’s mega-prison, claiming the Alien Enemies Act as justification
Despite a federal judge’s verdict that the Alien Enemies Act does not permit the deportation of Venezuelans without due process, the Trump admin deported hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. It’s likely that many of the deportees had temporary protective status, which Trump began granting to Venezuelans in his first term. The Trump admin is claiming that all of the deportees are members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua which has perpetrated an “invasion” of the U.S. While a federal judge ordered the planes carrying the deportees to turn around, ICE chose not to comply with the ruling. The U.S. will be paying the government of El Salvador for housing the prisoners.
Image from: El Salvador presidential press office via AP
STATE
OSU Students walk out as Ohio House passes SB1
Ohio State students walked out of class on March 19 to protest the Ohio House’s vote on SB1. The bill bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes at Ohio’s public universities. The House voted to pass SB1, thus sending it to the Senate for concurrence with the House’s changes. Senate President Rob McColley seemed in no rush to schedule that final Senate vote on the bill, saying it would happen at a later date.
Kent State moves to remove academic leadership positions and reorganize its colleges to cut costs
Experts have long predicted that 2025 would bring the onset of a “demographic cliff” for colleges and universities across the country. This year marks 18 years since the Great Recession, when American families suddenly stopped having as many children due to economic instability. The birth rate has not recovered since then, meaning universities will have no choice but to adapt to reduced enrollment rates as the new normal. Kent State University has announced a plan to reorganize its degree-granting colleges to cut costs. The university claims it will be able to save $1.5M by reducing academic leadership by 40%. KSU is forging a path of austerity on which most U.S. universities will likely be forced to tread.
Have some feedback about the news section? This is a one-person operation so just email me at mbs194@case.edu or reach out in person wherever you may find me around campus!
-Matthew Stall
