CPI Member’s Perspective on a Minneapolis Protest
By Zaquerí Nioúel
On Saturday, May 10th, 2025, the Party of Socialism and Liberation sponsored a protest and picket line in front of the Wedge grocery co-op in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in support of employees who had been banned from wearing clothing or accessories in support of Palestinian liberation. (Perhaps the beggars usually seated in front of the co-op joined the protest, if they didn't decide that the event would do too much to distract the charitable.) For a protest occurring on a sidewalk, I would say it was well attended, though not overwhelmingly so, given the venue. Perhaps a greater number of supporters honked in appreciation while driving on the thoroughfare.
In my estimation, perhaps the most supportive endeavor that this protest undertook had been to text and email the CEO en masse. That act kept the spirit of the protest's purpose: upholding the co-op employees' rights to free speech. Personally, I believe the speakers should have emphasized that purpose more, rather than (for example) analyzing the Palestinian struggle as a working class one: that emphasis would have reached further across domestic political boundaries.
Reaching across domestic political boundaries is something I admire about CPI member Dan Nowman. His outreach in Los Angeles accomplishes it artfully, engaging people where they are, rather than proselytizing about how people need to move closer to where he is.
Meanwhile, CPI's appearance at the inauguration in Washington, DC accomplishes it in the manner of an organized intervention, positioning its anti-imperialist message not just where all sides can see it, but crafts that message to invite thoughtful consideration, instead of just browbeating anyone who doesn't agree with it. Later in April, as part of a Global Day of Action, our Minneapolis team carried a banner over a busy highway in support of Burkina Faso's revolution led Captain Ibrahim Traore.
CPI's understanding of how to overcome these domestic political boundaries is one reason I'm excited for our convention in July. Hope to see you there!
