By Kevin Akin

Posted on September 25, 2011 by the National Organizing Committee

The following invitation was first circulated to interested organizations and individuals on September 11. Please visit noc2012.org for more information.

Dear Friends,

The National Organizing Committee invites you to participate in the founding conference of a coalition intended to provide a Left political presence in the 2012 election cycle. The meeting will take place over the weekend of December 10 and 11, 2011 in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The National Organizing Committee was originated by the Peace and Freedom Party, which has ballot status in California with about 60,000 registered members. Freedom Socialist Party, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Socialist Organizer are among other NOC affiliated organizations.

We decided that rather than three or four small socialist parties trying to get on the ballot, it would be better if the different socialist organizations worked together electorally. A broad range of Left leaning groups and individuals has also been involved in planning discussions. We are inviting many more to join in the effort. Some of the organizations invited have a history of using independent electoral campaigns to advance a working-class agenda.

This conference is expected to create the initial structure of a national independent Left electoral coalition for 2012 and beyond. Although the immediate focus of the coalition we are building may be electoral, we intend to engage in a wide breadth of movement-oriented activities. The Democratic and Republican Parties are owned lock, stock and barrel by the ultra-rich and their corporations who control our economy (and mass media). In order to advance the real interests of the working people of our country, a new independent Left political formation is needed to fight for our own needs.

The December conference is not expected to nominate a presidential ticket, but may produce interim candidates for the purpose of gaining ballot access. We seek cooperation in backing unity candidates for United States Senate and House of Representatives, state legislatures and local offices. Conference participants will determine the rules, structure, and plans of the national coalition.

We are eager to welcome conference participants from all areas of the country. Please let us know how many of your delegates from out of the area will need housing so we can offer accommodations with local Bay Area activists.

We look forward to your participation. Between now and the conference, we hope your organization will affiliate with NOC and join our planning committee. For more information, please see our website at www.noc2012.org. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and discuss any related issue with you. Thank you.

In solidarity,

Kevin Akin
Interim Chair
NOC2012

Kevin Akin is a member of the State Executive Committee, and past State Chair, of the Peace and Freedom Party.