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USSF Writers Memo & Muse March 27, 2010


Dear USSF Writers network,

We’re within 100 days of the US Social Forum, and your work in the coming weeks will be crucial for helping make the US Social Forum successful. As the news continues to report on the divisions seen in the debate over health care reform, let’s work to show people another way to solve the serious problems our country faces.

You, writers, are playing a key role in building democracy and constructive public discourse in our country. So please make a point of stepping up your effort to get pieces of writing and other communications out to help people learn about the USSF. We’re getting more stories out in a variety of media sources, and the USSF communications team is working hard to develop new ways to help us get your writing out. (Stay tuned!)

Thanks, writers, for all your work. I look forward to working together as the intensity and excitement for the Detroit USSF builds!

Another world is possible!

-Jackie Smith, USSF Writers Network Coordinator


March 27 Story Ideas and resources:


Everyone who cares about justice can (and should!) participate in the USSF


Encourage our fellow Americans to step up to help support democracy and movement-building in our country. Folks who cannot come to Detroit should be encouraged to do their part by helping provide solidarity funds so that others can attend. They can contribute to the national USSF, to local groups traveling to Detroit, or to the Delta to Detroit March (see below).

  • Donate to support the USSF organizing process, including particular initiatives—such as efforts to provide scholarships for low-income groups, indigenous people, etc.; assist with enhancing language access; local organizing and outreach: https://community.ussf2010.org/donate
  • Encourage people to register for the USSF, so please emphasize this in your writing. Send people to this link for basic info and registration details: http://abc.ussf2010.org/
  • Ideas for getting resources to get to Detroit: http://wiki.ussf2010.org/wiki/Get_involved!


April 4, 2010 Delta to Detroit March Begins in New Orleans, on Anniversary of King Assassination

In the final years of his life Dr. King refocused his vision from racial equality to economic justice, realizing that people of all colors living side-by-side in poverty was far short of a true victory for all people. He launched the Poor People’s Campaign in 1967 to unite poor people of all races to build a massive nonviolent movement to end poverty. He was assassinated for his efforts.

This Easter, The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign launches the March for Our Lives as a testament of resurrection. Out from the death of natural and unnatural disasters there is rising a poor people’s movement for life. Out from beneath the ruins of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and a devastating earthquake in Haiti, come the singing voices of the poor, the people who were struggling through miserable man-made disasters of poverty and injustice long before the ground literally shook below them. Supporters of the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign will be meeting with organizations in communities along their route. The marchers need more resources to complete their trip to Detroit, so encourage people to contribute to the effort. Writers—help us get this story out to your communities—especially if the march is coming near you. http://old.economichumanrights.org/index.shtml

The marchers need help as they embark on their journey! Please encourage donations: http://old.economichumanrights.org/donate.html


*April 15 is tax day-RE-INVEST your refund in social justice

Put your tax return to work for a better world. If we want to see another world, we have to invest in the work needed to make that world happen! If you don’t need the individual tax credit you got from President Obama’s economic stimulus plan, consider sharing it with the people and movements behind the USSF. They need your support to make space for Americans to come together to discuss alternative visions for how our country can better meet the needs of those who have been excluded and marginalized by poverty, joblessness, disability, race and gender.


Tea party activists resist any taxes, even for much-needed programs as important as those promoting more equitable and comprehensive access to health care. While we may not like how some of our tax dollars are spent, the idea that it is reasonable and just for those with more than enough to share with those who don’t have enough. The groups coming to Detroit are working to help make our democracy more responsive to folks without jobs, without health care, without equitable access to the things people need to live happy and productive lives.


  • Be sure to send links to your work to writers@ussf2010.org.


Find regular updates on preparations for Detroit at http://wiki.ussf2010.org/wiki/Press_and_People_Stories

Thinking ahead…Upcoming events & story opportunities

MAY 1- May Day: - speak to the left, the progressives, the workers, consolidate support for USSF
May 9: Mother’s day-- Mother's Day was started in 1870 after the Civil War, as a protest to the carnage of that war, by women who had lost their sons.
MAY 31: Memorial Day - Veterans for Peace & Iraq Vets against the war plug USSF


Please keep inviting creative people and writers you know to join us! We especially hope to recruit some youth to work with us and build their skills at movement media/communications work! Send people to the USSF website (www.ussf2010.org) and urge them to click “Get Involved.”