We want to extend an invitation to all progressive activists and organizations to participate in the National Conference to Fight Austerity in Detroit on Saturday March 24. The purpose of the national conference is to map out a strategy for defeating the war being waged by the banks, corporations and government against the workers and oppressed. Capitalism cannot continue unchallenged while our very lives are being jeopardized by the ruling elites who are determined to grow richer and more powerful at our expense, whipping up white supremacy, an anti-immigrant offensive attacks on women and anti-LGBTQ bigotry to keep our class divided.

Detroit along with colonized Puerto Rico has been at the epicenter of bank imposed austerity against the workers and oppressed in this hemisphere. But every U.S. city from Chicago to Baltimore to Cleveland to Milwaukee, from New York City to Oakland and Seattle, has felt the brunt of this attack in the form of cutbacks, school closings, mass transit cuts, water shutoffs, gentrification and destruction of public service unions.

The Trump tax plan and Pentagon War build-up continues the massive transfer of wealth to the rich at the expense of the poor. This war by the banks and on the workers and poor is an international phenomenon spanning every continent. On March 24, we will hammer out a program on how to fight back against the war by the corporations, the banks and their lackeys in government at all levels on the workers and poor.

The conference will take up topics such as:
* The Destruction of our Communities by the Banks.
* Tax giveaways to Dan Gilbert and the Ilitch business empire and gentrifiers everywhere.
* The Trump Tax plan — A declaration of war by and for the rich on the workers and the poor.
* The Pentagon War Buildup — funded by destruction of social services.* Continuing Water Shutoffs and Mass foreclosures.
*The Destruction of public educations through defunding and privatization.
* Mass layoffs at retail stores, restaurants, business offices and plant closings* Fighting for a real living wage for all workers.
* Challenging racism, sexism and LGBTQ oppression.
* Defending Immigrant Rights.
* Challenging mass incarceration and prison slave labor.
* Defending Puerto Rico where much the population remains without electricity because of mass robbery by the banks.
* The need for a universal healthcare program* Public transportation and accessibility for all within the urban and rural areas.
*The growth in extreme poverty and homelessness.
* Environmental Justice and the end to the poisoning of the poor.
*Full rights for persons with disabilities.

The Conference will discuss these issues in depth from the perspective of how they all are products of a capitalist system where profits are everything and people mean nothing. We will mobilize support for making May Day 2018 an anti-Austerity Day, as well as lending solidarity to the Poor Peoples Campaign. We will outline a program of action in solidarity with all movements working for social change and transformation.

Initiated by the Moratorium Now! Coalition.
For information or to endorse: contact 313-680-5508 – moratorium-mi.org – moratorium@moratorium-mi.org

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Here is the endorsement list thus far for the National Conference to Defeat Austerity. To add you name or organization please indicate in the comments.

Initiated by the Moratorium Now! Coalition. For information or to endorse: contact 313-680-5508 – moratorium-mi.org — moratorium@moratorium-mi.org Endorsed by: Detroit Active and Retired Employees Association (DAREA); Restaurant Opportunities Center of Michigan (ROC-MI); Fronteras Nortenas; Elena Herrada, Detroit School Board Member in Exile; Teresa Kelly, former editor, Michigan Citizen Newspaper; Detroit MLK Day committee; Reverend Ed Rowe; Lila Cabbil, People’s Water Board; Black for Palestine; Monica Lewis Patrick, Water Warrior; National Action Network, Detroit chapter; Michigan Welfare Rights Organization; Detroit People’s Taskforce Inc.; Baltimore People’s Power Assembly; U.S. Palestinian Network (USPCN) – Detroit; Wisconsin Bail out the People Movement; Syri Simpson, long-time transit advocate; Baltimore Bus Transit Riders Union; League of Revolutionaries for a New America; People’s Tribune; Vanessa G. Fluker, People’s Anti-Foreclosure attorney; Rev. W.J. Rideout III, Defenders of Truth & Justice, D-15; Martha Grevatt, Trustee, UAW Local 869; Community-Labor United for Postal Jobs & Services (CLUPJS) (New York City); Parents to Improve School Transportation (PIST) (New York City); Jean Vortkamp, co-producer, Looting Detroit;Wayne State University Students for a Democratic Society; Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network; Red Door Digital; The International Action Center; People’s Power Assembly, New York City; Workers World Party. (individuals’ organizations listed for identity purposes only)