They have seen a meteoric rise in recent years. Their sister/front organisations like ANSWER, Codepink, People’s Forum, BTnews have all become household names. When I look at protests in the U.S., it seems so many of them are organised directly, or indirectly, by them. In comparison, organisations like the CPUSA or the DSA are lacking behind.
How and why?
It’s the work they put in. These days Palestinian solidarity is cool among the youth and left and protests are regular. But 10, 20, 30 years ago? Not as much. When something big happened in regards to that or any other big issue PSL and their sister/front group ANSWER were all over it organizing demonstrations. I’d see their people out there bringing signs and leading. Their members become known as people who get the organizing done among those who are active in the leftist ecosystem. Suddenly, ideological differences start to soften because they are the people actually out there making things happen.
Some people see that as rank opportunism.
Organizing for unpopular issues for decades until public consciousness catches up is the literal opposite of opportunism
“actually supporting the things you believe in for decades is opportunism, you tool, you absolute stooge”
for the record the person behind the palestinian stuff for the longest time in my area is a woman who has visiting palestine/gaza a number of times and works directly with some of the mosques in the area. it’s not some quick and easy grab to get attention. she puts in the work. another is a jewish girl who stands up for human rights and against zionism. these people are amazing and work very very hard at what they do. i have deep respect for them and fully believe in their resolve to the causes they stand for.