STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
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Ann Arbor, MI 48107
info@studentsforademocraticsociety.org
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PRESS RELEASE


Contact:

Tom Nomad	440.463.7046	liberation_t@riseup.net
Mandy Worth	928.254.9122	amw234@nau.edu
Mike da Cruz	609.273.4190	mike.dacruz@gmail.com

2006-07-24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE FIRST SDS NATIONAL CONVENTION IN 37 YEARS

CHICAGO, IL - The Students for a Democratic Society are hosting their first national convention in 37 years at the University of Chicago August 4-7. The convention will include a number of plenary sessions and workshops and will bring together SDS members from many of the group's over 150 chapters. Brian Kelly, a member of the new generation of SDS members sees "the convention as the beginning of a long, participatory discussion about the direction of SDS." A member of Tacoma SDS, Millicent Hadjivassiliou, echoes Kelly's sentiments, "My objective, and I hope others will agree, will be to help open debate at the national level so that participants can return to their own communities with not only new questions but also new strategies to counter and resolve current challenges."

That is not to say that the convention will not be an event of consequence, as another SDS member, Matt McLaughlin declared, "I feel like this is going to be a major milestone for modern US radicalism." There's no doubt the new SDS has dreams big enough to live up to the history of its storied name, and if the new membership gets its way, SDS' story is far from over. As McLaughlin put it "We have our work cut out for us, and I'm very excited to begin."

The new SDS is multi-generational and members of the new generation of SDS will share the convention with members of the Movement for a Democratic Society, an affiliated organization for non-students, including former SDS members, under the SDS banner. Alana Markowitz, another new SDS member, hopes this multi-generational structure will allow SDS to combine "the knowledge and experience of seasoned organizers with our (the younger generations) sense of urgency."

When SDS splintered at its national convention in convention in Chicago in 1969 it was the most influential and powerful organization of student activists in the US. Thirty-seven years later, once again in Chicago, a new generation of SDS, with new ideas and a fresh sense of urgency and moral outrage, is poised to facilitate the growth of the re-emergent student movement.

When SDS splintered at its national convention in convention in Chicago in 1969 it was the most influential and powerful organization of student activists in the US. Thirty-seven years later, once again in Chicago, a new generation of SDS, with new ideas and a fresh sense of urgency and moral outrage, is poised to facilitate the growth of the re-emergent student movement.

The timeliness of the rebirth of SDS is demonstrated by its phenomenal growth. In its first six months of existence SDS already claims over 1000 members registered nationally and countless more involved at the local level. It has also already expanded into an international organization, with chapters in Mexico, Germany, Nigeria, and New Zealand; a testament to SDS' commitment to solidarity across, and in spite of, borders.

In light of its commitment to open and democratic organizing SDS' convention is open to all and is free of charge. All interested parties are invited to attend. The bulk of the convention will take place at Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St with a few events in nearby locations. It will begin at 6pm on Friday the 4th and close at noon on Monday the 7th.

During the convention a vigil will be held on the grounds of the University of Chicago, home of the infamous Manhattan Project. Timed to coincide with demonstrations being held in New York and elsewhere, SDS organizer Thomas Good noted: "our demonstration will stretch from New York City to Chicago - and beyond. We hope any SDSers not at the convention will organize local events". Convention attendees will assemble at the (Henry) Moore Sculpture on August 5th at 6:00 PM Chicago time. There will be a moment of silence at 6:15 as the atom bomb fell at 8:15 am (August 6) Japanese time. For information about the protest contact Thomas Good at 347.524.5631.

SDS is an education and social action organization dedicated to increasing democracy in all phases of our common life. It seeks to promote the active participation of young people in the formation of a movement to build a society free from poverty, ignorance, war, exploitation, racism and sexism.

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For More Information: For details about the convention see: http://www.studentsforademocraticsociety.org/convention/