SDS chapter forms at MSU

SDS chapter forms at MSU

http://michiganmessenger.com/33102/sds-chapter-forms-at-msu

By Ed Brayton
1/11/10

A chapter of the newly reformed Students for a Democratic Society
(SDS), one of the most influential left wing groups in the 1960s, has
formed at Michigan State University. The SDS was reformed as a
national organization in 2006 and chapters have been growing in
number ever since. In a statement sent to media outlets over the
weekend, the MSU Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) / Movement
for a Democratic Society (MDS) said that it was once again "time for
both students and members of the community to act against injustice."

The original SDS was formed in 1960 right here in this state, holding
its first meeting, led by Alan Haber, on the campus of the University
of Michigan. In 1962, the SDS issued a manifesto called the Port
Huron Statement, so named because it was ratified at a convention in
what is now a state park near Port Huron. That statement was largely
written by Tom Hayden, who went on to serve in Congress (and marry Jane Fonda).

Though opponents of the SDS accused the group of being communist, the
Port Huron statement explicitly condemned communism:

"As democrats we are in basic opposition to the communist system.
The Soviet Union, as a system, rests on the total suppression of
organized opposition, as well as on a vision of the future in the
name of which much human life has been sacrificed, and numerous small
and large denials of human dignity rationalized. The Communist party
has equated falsely the "triumph of true socialism" with centralized
bureaucracy. The Soviet state lacks independent labor organizations
and other liberties we consider basic. . . Communist parties
throughout the rest of the word are generally undemocratic in
internal structure and mode of action. . . The communist movement has
failed, in every sense, to achieve its stated intentions of leading a
worldwide movement for human emancipation."

The statement from the new MSU chapter of SDS says, "We are hopeful
for our future, because we are going to be the ones to build it. We
are going to do whatever it takes to create a society that is free
and sustainable for all people, built on true democratic principles.
We are building an organization and a network of resistance and
direct action for a free university in a free society."

The group is starting off by working on a local level:

Our first action is to officially fully endorse the March 4th [2010]
National Day of Action to Defend Education. MSU SDS/MDS is committed
to promoting quality, equity, and freedom in education, from
kindergarten to higher and adult education programs. Our first issue
of focus for this call to action is the impending cancellation of the
Deaf Education program at Michigan State University. With the only
program of its kind in a state with over 1,000,000 deaf or hard of
hearing residents, it is irresponsible and unacceptable to cut this
program (or any other program at this or any other public university
that benefits the good of the people, and especially a traditionally
disadvantaged group), and we will fight it.

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