We’re Still Organizing
It is the end of the year, and we are once again impressed by the range of offerings that the local political community has brought to People’s Solidarity Hub. These offerings include multi-day retreats for organizations from across the country; information sessions about cooperatives; regional organizer conventions; educational documentary screenings; info sessions about harmful anti-LGBTQ or anti-immigrant legislation; report back and strategizing sessions for union members; a monthly planning and strategy space for activists combatting the destructive family policing system; and so much more!
Members of the DSA from across the Triangle came together for a two-day convention at PSH.
The PSH is on track to host 486 events on our campus this year. Can we pause to take a second and say: Wow! We have been open less than 2 years, and we are so grateful for the outpouring of support and engagement from the community.
We are especially excited about the number of offerings that are collaborative efforts, bringing together 2 or 3 organizations for a shared cause. Some examples include the Durham Family and Action Planning coalition and the Co-op Triangle collective. As we move into 2025, we know that collaboration is the only way to combat the myriad of challenges we are going to face in the coming years. It is important that we are creating resistance on all fronts. We need to have strong organizations doing base building, policy, cultural, and healing work. We know that all of these things are represented amongst the hundreds of events happening at PSH.
Photo 1: Attendees listen to the wisdom of panelists at the “Co-ops in Conversation” meeting, organized by Co-op Triangle. The conversation was a new initiative aiming to host deeper conversations between in-industry co-ops. Photo 2 : Members of the Durham Family and Action Planning team gather to strategize and debrief. This powerful coalition, which meets every 3rd Monday, includes members of People’s Alliance, EmancipateNC, and Operation Stop CPS.
And We’re Still Healing
With the acquisition of the 1809 property, which was formerly a yoga studio, we have seen a steady increase in the number of healing offerings that center the radical political tradition and/or that specifically serve activists and organizers. This includes the popular free 6-month Generative Somatics class, the Get Embodied Access Centered Cultural Dance Series, meditation groups centered on the teachings of Lama Rad and Thich Nhat Hanh, and covid cautious yoga classes (where all participants must be masked).
Get Embodied gives community members space to explore their bodies in a safe and welcoming container that centers larger bodies and bodies with less mobility.
And We’re Still Creating
This year there has been a notable spike in the number of events that focus on arts based political action. PSH partnered with NC Disaster Response and Resilience Network to spearhead an event that brought in members of the BeeHive Collective, who used 3 floor-to-ceiling traveling murals and poetic storytelling to inspire collective action against anti-indigenous and environmentally destructive policies.
Audience members younger and older are captivated by the captivating storytelling and artwork shared by BeeHive Collective members.
Our biggest collaboration, spearheaded by one of our PSH Advisory Council Members, was with Mothers* for Ceasefire. Their exhibit “6,189 miles” was one of the first public offerings in the new 1809 building, and served as an entry point for community members to learn about the new PSH property. Bringing in well-over a hundred people during its 3 week run, the art made by local mothers and caregivers brought attention to the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
Community members take a moment to absorb the intricate details of an art piece by a member of the Mothers* for Ceasefire collective. Photo credit @the_chrischarles.
Pieces from the art collective adorned the walls of 1809 for several weeks in the summer. The “Let Gaza Live” banner became an ongoing installment at 1809, expected to stay in the building for the foreseeable future. It has succeeded in bringing a visual connection to the international call for liberation, whether someone is hosting a workshop or a birthday party in the space.
The banner is the first thing community members see walking into the main space of 1809. The banner is a visual reminder to keep the struggle for Palestinian liberation at the forefront of our minds.
Our last offering of the year will be a collaborative community effort to celebrate the third day of Kwanzaa. Born from a desire to facilitate connection and celebration, our Ujima Day celebration will honor all the work that it took to bring the PSH vision to life and also celebrate all of the political base building that is currently happening now that the vision has been manifested into reality! This event will feature a community altar activation, interactive workshop promoting discussion about intergenerational accountability, a walk and talk through the PSH History Timeline, and food. It will bring together multiple groups and organizations that have used the PSH as their home base in the past couple of years. We hope you will join us!
Please use this link to RSVP so you can receive any important details or updates between now and the time of our event!
Whether you attend, organize, or share events happening at the PSH, we are grateful for your support. We look forward to seeing what the next year will bring.
Want to become a PSH Sustainer? Check out our Donate Link: https://solidarityhubs.org/donate/