The administrator of this blog site, I am a lifelong socialist and a retired carpenter and the former recording secretary and an expelled member of Carpenters Local 713. I was expelled for my leading role in the 1999 SF Bay Area carpenters wildcat strike as well as for his opposition to the union bureaucracy in general. I was one of the founding members of a small group called Labor Militant, which was the forerunner to Socialist Alternative. Along with a small group of others, I was expelled when that group started to adapt to the union bureaucracy. I have also visited the workers' movement internationally, including in Pakistan, Egypt (during the Arab Spring), Britain, Mexico and Chile (during the uprising there in 2020). Unless otherwise specified, I am the author of the articles that appear here. Although I am the main author, Oaklandsocialist welcomes articles on any issue that relates to the working class. Contact us at Oaklandsocialist@gmail.com.
“Better to break the law than to break the poor.” A lesson for the “Mamdani Movement”: The Battle of Liverpool, 1983-’85: Introduction The Mamdani Movement is already facing resistance not only […]
I have a good friend and trusted associate who is a server at one of the most elite private clubs in Manhattan. He overheard the following conversation between two of the most […]
Introduction Opposition to Israel is growing, especially among the youth around the world. Every attempt to silence this opposition backfires. Right now, that attempt to silence it focuses on the youth culture […]
A spectre – a ghost – is haunting the Democratic party. That spectre has a smiling face and a name to go with it – Zohran Mamdani. In fact, he is haunting […]
by Siyâvash Shahabi A very generous friend invited me to the ancient theater of Epidaurus to watch a performance of Antigone. And in this heat and isolation of Athens, why should I […]
By Siyâvash Shahabi The final result of this 12-days war is not just the intensification of repression inside Iran under the name of “defending the homeland” or “fighting espionage.” According to reports, […]
Were Trump and the IRI regime just performing for their bases? And will the performances resolve the crisis? Let’s take those questions one at a time: Both the Trump and the Iranian […]
A few facts are starting emerge as far as the US bombing Iran: The bombing was partially effective, but not fully so. Even the 30,000 lb. “bunker buster” bombs did not accomplish […]
We talked with long time socialist , New York City subway worker and union fighter, John Ferretti, about why he’s supporting Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor. Here is an edited […]
Oaklandsocialist podcast: interview with John Ferretti on Zohran Momdani for New York City mayor. Find it on Oaklandsocialist podcasts here.
