From the genocide in Gaza to the relentless, profit-driven climate crisis and the rise of the far right, world capitalism is horrifying. But there is hope amidst the horror. A new generation is responding with anger and looking for an alternative. For many of the millions who have been let down by Labor and the establishment, that alternative is socialism.
The growth of our movement is limited in large part by our ability to get our message out there. We don’t have the help of the likes of Gina Rinehart or Rupert Murdoch. We do not have 24-hour television stations or own Instagram. We don’t have a private jet, and nor do we need one. But what we do need is to print more left-wing books, publish the Marxist Left Review journal and Red Flag, produce beautiful banners for every protest and pay the inflated rent for sufficient space to meet, write, make and discuss. All this costs money, and more than ever.
Socialist Alternative’s annual fund drive is the main source of revenue for our organisation. This year we are making a public appeal for donations from our supporters. Financial contributions are a key way that those who can’t be on the front line themselves can stand with those who are. With costs rising due to inflation, and expanding political opportunities to tap into, the need to raise serious money is more urgent than ever.
At this moment, four Socialist Alternative branches are in the throes of organising the annual Socialism conferences, now established alongside the Marxism festival as Australia’s most significant sites of radical discussion, debate and education. These vital events cost an enormous amount to put on, particularly since Marxism has had to move to the Melbourne Showgrounds due to its size.
Socialist Alternative is growing and now has almost 800 members. But our membership is overwhelmingly young. And while this is a great thing, it also means we struggle to raise the money we need from our members alone.
Which is where you come in.
We are coming up to tax time. Donations to those wanting to bring down capitalism are generally not tax deductible. But tax refunds can be put to good use.
For example, $2,500 would cover the airfare for one of the international speakers at Marxism 2027, $1500 would cover 10,000 posters to advertise a conference or protest, $650 would pay for a month’s hire of an office photocopier, $200 would provide 1500 pamphlets and even just $100 would cover two months of the cost of having the internet in one of our activist spaces. Any amount is an important contribution to rebuilding a socialist left in Australia.
Socialist Alternative has no corporate donors, no advertisers, just you. Please support the cause of rebuilding a socialist movement in Australia and donate as much as you can.
