Philadelphia Young Communist League (YCL) is a radical-left political organization active in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area that advocates for communism. It calls for the “transformation” of the United States into a “socialist society” through “democratic struggle.” 1
Philadelphia Young Communist League has authored blog posts for the official website of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA), a prominent communist organization with which it has ties and whose origins date back to 1919. 2 3
Background
Philadelphia Young Communist League (YCL) is a political organization in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area that advocates for communism and far-left policies. It calls for the “transformation” of the United States into a “socialist society” through “democratic struggle.” 1
Inspired by its study of “Marxism-Leninism,” the official ideology of the Soviet Union, the Philadelphia YCL asserts that it is fighting on the side of “working people and youth” against “racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, and all other forms of discrimination.” It calls itself a “training ground” for young people who will eventually graduate to the Communist Party USA, but states that it also runs its own campaigns and has its own leadership elections. 1 It lists its physical location as the DuBois-Robeson People’s Center, adding that the space serves as the reading room of the West Philadelphia Club and Eastern PA & DE District of the CPUSA. 4
Activities
Philadelphia Young Communist League has a membership commission, which organizes outings so its members can connect. These include “social events,” “movie nights,” “concerts,” and “tabling” events during which it sets up tables in public areas and distributes pamphlets about socialism. 5
In October 2023, Philadelphia Young Communist League published a statement on its Substack account calling for the end of the “occupation” of the Palestinian territories by the state of Israel, adding that it “stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people.” It described the situation in Gaza as “not only a moral injustice but a violation of international law” and said Palestinians are experiencing “inhumane conditions of apartheid.” It criticized the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, called for the Biden administration to stop providing funds to Israel, and advocated for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, with a special emphasis on divestment by labor unions and schools in Philadelphia and throughout the United States. It also endorsed the Ceasefire Now Resolution from Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), calling on Philadelphia-area U.S. Representatives Dwight Evans (D-PA), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) to co-sponsor it. 6
A member of Philadelphia YCL spoke before the Philadelphia City Council on October 19, 2023. In his public comments, the member (referred to as “Collin”) drew connections between Israel’s campaign in Gaza and the alleged assault by Philadelphia police officers on Black activist group MOVE in the 1970s and 1980s. 7
In April 2024, Philadelphia YCL released a statement in conjunction with the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware District of the Communist Party USA expressing solidarity with students protesting against “the current genocidal assault on Gaza,” commending activists at Swarthmore College, the University of Pennsylvania, Haverford College, Bryn Mawr College, Dickinson College and the University of Pittsburgh who had all built encampments despite the threat of “excessive police force.” 8
Philadelphia Young Communist League has authored blog posts for the official website of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA), a prominent communist organization whose origins date back to 1919. 9 3 In one blog post dated May 2024, the Philadelphia YCL describes the relationship between the CPUSA and itself as one of older individuals representing a left-wing establishment and younger individuals being prepared to take up the reins of leadership, respectively. 10
In a different post from March 2024, Philadelphia YCL condemned the 100-day plan of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (D), claiming she merely wants to attract corporate investors to the city and was ignoring left-wing policies such as fighting police brutality, workers’ rights, public housing, and rent control, endorsing instead the removal of “regulatory burdens” and “complex local tax[es].” 11 12
References
- “Welcome to Philly YCL” Philadelphia Young Communist League. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.phillyycl.com/.
- [1] “Philadelphia Young Communist League.” Communist Party USA. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.cpusa.org/authors/philadelphia-young-communist-league/.
- “About Us.” Communist Party USA. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://cpusa.org/about-us/
- Get Involved.” Philadelphia Young Communist League. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.phillyycl.com/get-involved/.
- “Philly YCL’s Membership Commission.” Philadelphia Young Communist League. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.phillyycl.com/membership/.
- Philadelphia YCL. “Statement: Free Palestine!” Philly YCL’s Newsletter – Substack, October 18, 2023. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://philadelphiaycl.substack.com/p/statement-free-palestine.
- Philadelphia YCL. “Philly to Palestine: Connections in Oppression.” Philly YCL’s Newsletter – Substack, January 12, 2024. https://philadelphiaycl.substack.com/p/philly-to-palestine-connections-in.
- Philadelphia YCL. “Solidarity With Student Organizers For A Free Palestine.” Philly YCL’s Newsletter – Substack, April 29, 2024. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://philadelphiaycl.substack.com/p/solidarity-with-students-organizers.
- “Philadelphia Young Communist League.” Communist Party USA. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.cpusa.org/authors/philadelphia-young-communist-league/.
- Philadelphia Young Communist League. “On the relationship between the Party and the YCL.” Communist Party USA, May 20, 2024. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.cpusa.org/article/on-the-relationship-between-the-party-and-the-ycl/.
- Philadelphia Young Communist League. “Philadelphia mayor’s 100-day plan shows tough struggles ahead.” Communist Party USA, March 12, 2024. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.cpusa.org/party_voices/philadelphia-mayors-100-day-plan-shows-tough-struggles-ahead/
- Phillips, Susan. “Cherelle Parker makes history: Philly elects first Black woman mayor.” WHYY, November 7, 2023. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-election-cherelle-parker-wins-mayoral-race/