On a cold Saturday afternoon in Providence’s Elmwood neighborhood, the Rhode Island chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation opened its new Providence Liberation Center with a free community block party that welcomed over 500 attendees.
According to PSL organizer Josh Morton, the PLC is “a socialist community center for working-class political education, organizing and culture, built for and by workers and oppressed people in our state.”
“We need our own physical space, our own liberation center, for us to connect to and bolster” the “growing movement of working class people who want to fight for a socialist system,” he added.
During the grand opening block party, PSL cordoned off part of Sackett Street for a variety of performances and activities. Offerings included a tote bag screen printing workshop, coloring pages and a spread of free food from local chefs. Between musical performances, organizers gave speeches arguing for the importance of the PLC.
Visitors were also invited to tour the new space located at 1053 Broad Street. The space houses several tables and seating areas, a selection of books to browse and a wall covered in vibrant political posters.
According to Morton, Broad Street is “a gathering point for Rhode Island’s working class.” PSL chose this location because it is accessible by foot and bus via the RIPTA’s R line. The center is staffed entirely by volunteers and funded by donations from “everyday working-class people,” he wrote.
“If the two-party system is a dead-end for changing our society, what can we do?” Morton asked in a speech at the event. “It is on us, the people, to build the power and the political organizations that are strong enough to make that change. And we’re going to build that here at the Providence Liberation Center.”
Event attendee Meghan Mozea ’19 described the PLC as “a space where people can gather and be in community.”
At the center, PSL plans to host events “that better equip workers in Rhode Island with the tools we need to organize and fight for a future where working people run the world, not billionaires,” Morton wrote in a message to The Herald. These events include film screenings, educational sessions and organizing meetings.
All of the events will be “free or affordable for working Rhode Islanders,” according to Morton. He added that the center will offer childcare and food to make the events accessible to all.
“I really love PSL events where you can come and educate yourself and talk with like-minded folks,” Mozea said. She is excited to have “a centralized space” to have these conversations, she added.
In a speech, community organizer and activist John Prince celebrated the “energy” that he said the PLC will bring. “It’s gonna bring all people power, because we’re going to need that,” he said. “We’re going to need all of us to conquer this madness out here,” he added.
“I’m hopeful that having a center will bring more people together to fight for the change we want to see in our community,” said Azulina Green, who attended the grand opening.
“If you are an everyday working person struggling to get by, if you want to understand why we are in the position that we’re in and you want to make the world a better place, the Providence Liberation Center is that place for you,” Morton said at the event.
Talia Katz is a senior staff writer covering city hall and crime.
