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Labor Community Strategy Center

Website:

thestrategycenter.org/
Location:

LOS ANGELES, CA
Tax ID:

95-4201669
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2017):

Revenue: $1,494,706
Expenses: $1,469,255
Assets: $2,997,481

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The Labor Community Strategy Center (LCSC) is a radical-left organizing group based in Los Angeles. Eric Mann, a radical-left activist who has been a member of several communist organizations, helped to start LCSC in 1989 and remains its director today. 123 Patrisse Cullors, Mann’s protege and a LCSC staffer for over a decade, is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter. 4

LCSC advocates for a far-left political agenda. LCSC supports defunding the police and releasing 2.5 million incarcerated people. 5 6 On foreign policy, LCSC argues that the United States pursues an “imperialist” agenda, claiming that its treatment of authoritarian regimes like those of China, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela is too harsh. 7 LCSC opposes all U.S. aid to Israel, alleging that Israel is engaged in a “criminal occupation” of the Palestinian territories. 8 LCSC also supports left-wing environmentalist policy, arguing that “force is the key” to lowering carbon emissions,9 and calls for open national borders. 10 11

Leadership

Eric Mann is the founder and director of LCSC. Mann has been a member of several radical-left organizations, including the League of Revolutionary Struggle (a Marxist-Leninist organization),12 Weather Underground (a group dedicated to implementing “world communism”),13 and the Black Panther Party. 14 Mann worked closely with the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 645 in the 1980s to oppose the closing of a General Motors plant. 15 During that time, Mann was critical of mainstream left-of-center labor groups and the Democratic Party for blaming outsourcing for plant closures rather than “U.S. capitalists.” 16 Mann accused labor groups including the AFL-CIO, United Transportation Union (now part of SMART), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) of not sufficiently pursuing a left-wing agenda through the 1980s and 1990s. 17

Patrisse Cullors, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, was a community organizer for LCSC from 2001 to 2012. 18 LCSC’s National School for Strategic Organizing taught Cullors and others Communist theory from Marx, Lenin, and Mao Zedong. 19 Cullors called LCSC her “first political home” and has said that Mann was her mentor. 20

Bus Riders Union

LCSC founded the Bus Riders Union (BRU) in 1992. 21 LCSC and BRU represented bus riders during a class action suit against the Los Angeles Metro Transit Authority (MTA) in 1996. 22 The BRU has used militant protest tactics, including blocking intersections and roadways for hours. 23 Today, the BRU markets itself as an advocate for a “progressive agenda” and argues for increased government spending on mass transit. 24 BRU has demanded a doubling of bus services and the implementation of no-fare public transportation, calling any proposed cuts to bus services “transit racism.” 25

Criminal Justice

LCSC has called for eliminating funding for Los Angeles school police services. 26 In August of 2020, LCSC celebrated a 35% cut in funding school police in the city, expressing its hope to “eliminate policing” in schools. 27 As part of its blog celebrating the cut, LCSC called George Floyd’s death one of the “sins of the white settler state.” 28

LCSC has also called for eliminating police presence on MTA buses and trains. 29 LCSC has further supported ending the 1033 Program, a program that allows the military to donate excess equipment to local law enforcement agencies. 30 LCSC’s program “Fight for the Soul of the Cities” demands that all 2.5 million prisoners in the United States be released from custody. 31

Anti-American and Anti-Israel Statements

LCSC has taken an extreme-left stance on American foreign policy for decades. In 1998, Mann wrote an article criticizing then-President Bill Clinton for seeking to expand the reach of capitalism around the world and for supporting the National Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 32 Mann claimed that the U.S. was using NATO and markets to force its imperialist agenda on the world. 33 In 2020, LCSC said that the authoritarian regimes in Venezuela and Iran should be praised for standing up to U.S. imperialism. 34 LCSC has also announced plans to advocate against U.S. sanctions on countries including China, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. 35

LCSC claims that the Israeli government has committed genocide and is criminally occupying Palestine. 36 LCSC supports ending U.S. aid to Israel and calls for the “national liberation” of Palestine, 37 praising the left-wing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. 38

Environmentalism

LCSC has taken several left-wing environmentalist stances. According to LCSC, climate change is the result of the “capitalist economic system.” LCSC argues for government intervention in support of an environmentalist agenda, claiming that “force is the key” to coercing changes in individual and corporate behavior to stop climate change. 39

LCSC criticized former President Barack Obama’s proposal to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions as bring far too moderate to address climate change. Rather than cutting U.S. emissions by 14% of 1990 levels by 2025, LCSC called for a 50% reduction. 40 While President Obama’s plan proposed that the United States contribute $500 million annually to the United Nations Green Climate Fund, LCSC called for a $10 billion annual contribution. 41

To fight climate change, LCSC argues for an end to all car usage in Los Angeles. 42 To achieve this goal, LCSC supports the city of Los Angeles buying 5,000 buses, ending all rail projects, placing a moratorium on highway expansion, and establishing legal restrictions on auto use. 43

Immigration

LCSC is supportive of radical changes to the U.S. immigration system, including opening American borders, defunding Border Patrol, and providing complete amnesty for illegal immigrants. 44 45 LCSC also has supported granting illegal immigrants access to taxpayer-funded social services and public education programs. 46

References

  1. “About.” The Strategy Center. Accessed September 19, 2020. https://thestrategycenter.org/about/.
  2. Mann, Eric. “CLASS, COMMUNITY AND EMPIRE: TOWARD AN ANTI-IMPERIALIST STRATEGY FOR LABOR.” The Strategy Center. March 6, 1998. https://thestrategycenter.org/class-community-and-empire-toward-an-anti-imperialist-strategy-for-labor/.
  3. Gonzalez, Mike. “To Destroy America.” The Heritage Foundation. September 3, 2020. https://www.heritage.org/civil-society/commentary/destroy-america.
  4. “Partice Cullors.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 19, 2020. https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrisse-cullors-b2b58356/.
  5. “About.” Fight for the Soul of Our Cities. Accessed September 19, 2020. https://fightforthesoulofthecities.com/about/.
  6. “With great appreciation to the great organizers and organizations that won our victory to cut the LASPD Budget by $25 million—35 percent.” The Strategy Center. August 27, 2020. https://thestrategycenter.org/with-great-appreciation-to-the-great-organizers-and-organizations-that-won-our-victory-to-cut-the-laspd-budget-by-25-million-35-percent/.
  7. Seyedan, Joseph. “THE IRANIAN/VENEZUELAN FIGHT FOR SELF-DETERMINATION AGAINST U.S. ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.” The Strategy Center. June 5, 2020. https://thestrategycenter.org/the-iranian-venezuelan-fight-for-self-determination-against-u-s-economic-sanctions-by-joseph-seyedan/.
  8. Mann, Eric. “Sanders v. Clinton On Palestine: No Contest.” The Strategy Center. June 3, 2016. https://thestrategycenter.org/sanders-v-clinton-on-palestine-no-contest/.
  9. Mann, Eric. “Posts from Paris: The World Is On Fire But the United Nations is Not.” The Strategy Center. December 4, 2015. https://thestrategycenter.org/posts-from-paris-the-world-is-on-fire-but-the-united-nations-is-not/.
  10. “STATEMENT OF THE LABOR/COMMUNITY STRATEGY CENTER STANDING UP AGAINST RACIST, FASCIST, NAZI, SWASTIKAS IN SOUTH L.A.” The Strategy Center. November 30, 2018. https://thestrategycenter.org/standing-up-against-racist-fascist-nazi-swastikas-in-south-l-a/.
  11. “Immigrant Rights and Wrongs.” Strategy Center Publications. July 20, 1994. https://thestrategycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/immigrant-rights-and-wrongs.pdf.
  12. Mann, Eric. “CLASS, COMMUNITY AND EMPIRE: TOWARD AN ANTI-IMPERIALIST STRATEGY FOR LABOR.” The Strategy Center. March 6, 1998. https://thestrategycenter.org/class-community-and-empire-toward-an-anti-imperialist-strategy-for-labor/.
  13. Gonzalez, Mike. “To Destroy America.” The Heritage Foundation. September 3, 2020. https://www.heritage.org/civil-society/commentary/destroy-america.
  14. Mann, Eric. “Setting the Record Straight.” Poverty & Race Research Action Council. December 1, 1999. https://prrac.org/setting-the-record-straight/.
  15. Mann, Eric. “CLASS, COMMUNITY AND EMPIRE: TOWARD AN ANTI-IMPERIALIST STRATEGY FOR LABOR.” The Strategy Center. March 6, 1998. https://thestrategycenter.org/class-community-and-empire-toward-an-anti-imperialist-strategy-for-labor/.
  16. Mann, Eric. “CLASS, COMMUNITY AND EMPIRE: TOWARD AN ANTI-IMPERIALIST STRATEGY FOR LABOR.” The Strategy Center. March 6, 1998. https://thestrategycenter.org/class-community-and-empire-toward-an-anti-imperialist-strategy-for-labor/.
  17. Mann, Eric. “CLASS, COMMUNITY AND EMPIRE: TOWARD AN ANTI-IMPERIALIST STRATEGY FOR LABOR.” The Strategy Center. March 6, 1998. https://thestrategycenter.org/class-community-and-empire-toward-an-anti-imperialist-strategy-for-labor/.
  18. “Partice Cullors.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 19, 2020. https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrisse-cullors-b2b58356/.
  19. Walcott, Rianna, “How the founder of Black Lives Matter started a global movement,” Dazed, April 5, 2018. Accessed September 19, 2020.   https://www.dazeddigital.com/politics/article/39587/1/black-lives-matter-founder-interview-patrisse-khan-cullors.
  20. Gonzalez, Juan and Goodman, Amy, ““When They Call You a Terrorist”: The Life of Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors,” Democracy Now, January 16, 2018. Accessed September 19, 2020. https://www.democracynow.org/2018/1/16/when_they_call_you_a_terrorist.
  21. “Bus Riders Union.” Fight for the Soul of Cities. Accessed September 19, 2020. https://fightforthesoulofthecities.com/portfolio/bus-riders-union/.
  22. Mann, Eric. “Los Angeles Bus Riders Derail the MTA.” Tufts University. Accessed September 19, 2020. http://sites.tufts.edu/carscultureplace2010/files/2010/10/Los-Angeles-Bus.pdf.
  23. Mann, Eric. “CLASS, COMMUNITY AND EMPIRE: TOWARD AN ANTI-IMPERIALIST STRATEGY FOR LABOR.” The Strategy Center. March 6, 1998. https://thestrategycenter.org/class-community-and-empire-toward-an-anti-imperialist-strategy-for-labor/.
  24. Bus Riders Union.” Fight for the Soul of Cities. Accessed September 19, 2020. https://fightforthesoulofthecities.com/portfolio/bus-riders-union/.
  25. “BUS RIDERS UNION WEEK OF ACTION NO POLICE IN LAUSD SCHOOLS NO MTA NEXT GENTRIFICATION SERVICE CUTS FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.” The Strategy Center. September 14, 2020. https://thestrategycenter.org/bus-riders-union-week-of-action-no-police-in-lausd-schools-no-mta-next-gentrification-service-cuts-free-public-transportation/.
  26. “HELP US CALL THE LAUSD BOARD TO FIGHT FOR NO POLICE IN LAUSD SCHOOLS.” The Strategy Center. June 8, 2020. https://thestrategycenter.org/help-us-call-the-lausd-board-to-fight-for-no-police-in-lausd-schools/.
  27. “With great appreciation to the great organizers and organizations that won our victory to cut the LASPD Budget by $25 million—35 percent.” The Strategy Center. August 27, 2020. https://thestrategycenter.org/with-great-appreciation-to-the-great-organizers-and-organizations-that-won-our-victory-to-cut-the-laspd-budget-by-25-million-35-percent/.
  28. “With great appreciation to the great organizers and organizations that won our victory to cut the LASPD Budget by $25 million—35 percent.” The Strategy Center. August 27, 2020. https://thestrategycenter.org/with-great-appreciation-to-the-great-organizers-and-organizations-that-won-our-victory-to-cut-the-laspd-budget-by-25-million-35-percent/.
  29. “BUS RIDERS UNION WEEK OF ACTION NO POLICE IN LAUSD SCHOOLS NO MTA NEXT GENTRIFICATION SERVICE CUTS FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.” The Strategy Center. September 14, 2020. https://thestrategycenter.org/bus-riders-union-week-of-action-no-police-in-lausd-schools-no-mta-next-gentrification-service-cuts-free-public-transportation/.
  30. Mann, Eric. “PRELUDE TO PARIS: FOUR TRAGIC TACTICS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FOUR CLIMATE JUSTICE PROPOSALS HE MUST SUPPORT.” The Strategy Center. December 3, 2015. https://thestrategycenter.org/prelude-to-paris-four-tragic-tactics-by-president-obama-and-four-climate-justice-proposals-he-must-support/.
  31. “About.” Fight for the Soul of Our Cities. Accessed September 19, 2020. https://fightforthesoulofthecities.com/about/.
  32. Mann, Eric. “CLASS, COMMUNITY AND EMPIRE: TOWARD AN ANTI-IMPERIALIST STRATEGY FOR LABOR.” The Strategy Center. March 6, 1998. https://thestrategycenter.org/class-community-and-empire-toward-an-anti-imperialist-strategy-for-labor/.
  33. Mann, Eric. “CLASS, COMMUNITY AND EMPIRE: TOWARD AN ANTI-IMPERIALIST STRATEGY FOR LABOR.” The Strategy Center. March 6, 1998. https://thestrategycenter.org/class-community-and-empire-toward-an-anti-imperialist-strategy-for-labor/.
  34. Seyedan, Joseph. “THE IRANIAN/VENEZUELAN FIGHT FOR SELF-DETERMINATION AGAINST U.S. ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.” The Strategy Center. June 5, 2020. https://thestrategycenter.org/the-iranian-venezuelan-fight-for-self-determination-against-u-s-economic-sanctions-by-joseph-seyedan/.
  35. Seyedan, Joseph. “THE IRANIAN/VENEZUELAN FIGHT FOR SELF-DETERMINATION AGAINST U.S. ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.” The Strategy Center. June 5, 2020. https://thestrategycenter.org/the-iranian-venezuelan-fight-for-self-determination-against-u-s-economic-sanctions-by-joseph-seyedan/.
  36. Mann, Eric. “Sanders v. Clinton On Palestine: No Contest.” The Strategy Center. June 3, 2016. https://thestrategycenter.org/sanders-v-clinton-on-palestine-no-contest/.
  37. Mann, Eric. “Palestine Will Win.” The Strategy Center. September 3, 2014. https://thestrategycenter.org/palestine-will-win/.
  38. Mann, Eric. “Sanders v. Clinton On Palestine: No Contest.” The Strategy Center. June 3, 2016. https://thestrategycenter.org/sanders-v-clinton-on-palestine-no-contest/.
  39. Mann, Eric. “Posts from Paris: The World Is On Fire But the United Nations is Not.” The Strategy Center. December 4, 2015. https://thestrategycenter.org/posts-from-paris-the-world-is-on-fire-but-the-united-nations-is-not/.
  40. Mann, Eric. “PRELUDE TO PARIS: FOUR TRAGIC TACTICS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FOUR CLIMATE JUSTICE PROPOSALS HE MUST SUPPORT.” The Strategy Center. December 3, 2015. https://thestrategycenter.org/prelude-to-paris-four-tragic-tactics-by-president-obama-and-four-climate-justice-proposals-he-must-support/.
  41. Mann, Eric. “PRELUDE TO PARIS: FOUR TRAGIC TACTICS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FOUR CLIMATE JUSTICE PROPOSALS HE MUST SUPPORT.” The Strategy Center. December 3, 2015. https://thestrategycenter.org/prelude-to-paris-four-tragic-tactics-by-president-obama-and-four-climate-justice-proposals-he-must-support/.
  42. “No Cars in L.A.” Fight for the Soul of Our Cities. Accessed September 19, 2020. https://fightforthesoulofthecities.com/portfolio/no-cars-in-la/.
  43. “No Cars in L.A.” Fight for the Soul of Our Cities. Accessed September 19, 2020. https://fightforthesoulofthecities.com/portfolio/no-cars-in-la/.
  44. “STATEMENT OF THE LABOR/COMMUNITY STRATEGY CENTER STANDING UP AGAINST RACIST, FASCIST, NAZI, SWASTIKAS IN SOUTH L.A.” The Strategy Center. November 30, 2018. https://thestrategycenter.org/standing-up-against-racist-fascist-nazi-swastikas-in-south-l-a/.
  45. “Immigrant Rights and Wrongs.” Strategy Center Publications. July 20, 1994. https://thestrategycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/immigrant-rights-and-wrongs.pdf.
  46. “Immigrant Rights and Wrongs.” Strategy Center Publications. July 20, 1994. https://thestrategycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/immigrant-rights-and-wrongs.pdf.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: September 1, 1989

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2017 Dec Form 990 $1,494,706 $1,469,255 $2,997,481 $1,219,150 N $1,382,344 $0 $13,119 $148,084
    2016 Dec Form 990 $1,597,658 $1,421,659 $2,181,862 $514,221 N $1,595,064 $0 $20,584 $0 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $2,154,152 $1,897,067 $1,974,059 $479,397 N $2,144,118 $0 $3,017 $263,885 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $1,975,769 $2,278,587 $1,686,973 $748,794 N $1,940,325 $0 $2,202 $190,895 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $1,457,157 $2,065,198 $1,680,650 $19,682 N $1,455,606 $0 $2,004 $150,721 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $2,280,440 $2,386,244 $1,919,435 $1,590 N $2,243,000 $0 $456 $125,000 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $2,643,486 $2,099,852 $2,061,116 $37,467 Y $2,584,153 $0 $45,345 $125,000 PDF
    2010 Dec Form 990 $1,482,093 $1,843,321 $1,511,091 $5,952 N $1,457,421 $0 $57,251 $155,000 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Labor Community Strategy Center

    3780 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 1200
    LOS ANGELES, CA 90010-2843