Slideshow: U.S. Social Forum gathers new and veteran activists in Philadelphia

· June 30, 2015

Progressive activists and organizers from across the United States met over the weekend for the 2015 U.S. Social Forum. This time, the social forum took place in three cities: San Jose, California; Jackson, Mississippi and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The gathering convened with the goal of building a stronger, broader and more interconnected nationwide social justice movement. FSRN’s Kelly Benjamin attended the forum in Philadelphia and files this photo essay.

[sdonations]13[/sdonations]

Click on any thumbnail image to launch slideshow.

: Farmworkers from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers along with students from the Student/Farmworker Alliance rallied outside a Wendy’s during the US Social Forum. The CIW is fighting to get the fast food company to sign on to the Fair Food Agreement which would ensure for one penny more per pound of tomatoes for tomato pickers and zero tolerance for mistreatment in the fields.

: Activists attend a workshop held by Environmental group Rising Tide about how best to build momentum toward a series of upcoming actions intended to escalate the pace of the anti-capitalist climate justice movement.

: Krown Deon of the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights campaign speaks at a panel discussion on race and poverty in America at the US Social Forum in Philadelphia.

: Feminist activist group CodePink expressed their sentiments on the issue of the Confederate flag.

: Neighborhood activist and community gardener Katrina Baxter describes growing one’s own food as a “revolutionary act” while giving a tour of Philadelphia Community Gardens to participants of the US Social Forum.

: Hip Hop artist Immortal Technique performs at the U.S. Social Forum.

: Cheri Honkala, National Coordinator with the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign speaks at the opening session of the U.S. Social Forum.

: Abandoned building in North Philadelphia. The neighborhood of Kensington has one of the highest concentrations of poverty in the country. “Selling drugs is the number one job in this community,” explains Cheri Honkala.

: Part of an abandoned lot in in North Philadelphia.

: Attendees listen to a panel discussion on the continuing threat of nuclear weapons and the need to ramp up efforts for international disarmament.

: A group called Global Women’s Strike tables in the lobby of the US Social Forum at Temple University.

: A Philadelphia police captain stops by an after-party at a bar during the U.S. Social Forum. Organizers said police have been antagonistic and uncooperative for weeks with groups attempting to plan the event.