Last July 9 was a significant day on the South Side of Chicago. For decades the South Side has been a center of the city’s large population of Black people. And on a rainy Sunday afternoon, about 30 people of different nationalities, from different backgrounds and various walks of life attended the “Grand Reopening” of the Revolution Center of THE REVCOM CORPS For The Emancipation Of Humanity, Chicago. 

A sidewalk party kicked it off—with a couple of chess games going, and music bouncing off the street. But intermittent showers forced the celebrants inside for most of the event. Stolen Lives families who’ve lost loved ones to the police, along with long-time supporters of the revcoms, brought food. A grill was set up in an alley behind the center, and everyone had a good time feasting on a variety of food. People walked around the recently spruced-up center: tables stacked with literature by Bob Avakian and the revcoms; riveting images of the Revcom Corps across the country marching, protesting, and rallying, lined the walls. 

Two Revcom Corps members MCed the event. Each spoke to the significance of a revolution center in this neighborhood, in this rare time where revolution has become more possible. Truly something to celebrate—and to strengthen and make a real force on Chicago’s South Side and beyond.

The celebration included a program to ground everybody in the mission of Revolution Summer, what time we're in and what we're aiming to accomplish. Above all, bringing people the unparalleled revolutionary leadership of Bob Avakian. The hosts talked about the bold July 4^th event in Chicago, when people gathered around a powerful art installation depicting many of the crimes the U.S. has perpetrated on people of the world, and showed a video of the U.S. flag getting burned at the Bean, a tourist attraction and artwork in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The highlight of the program was when everyone watched the first section of The Bob Avakian Interview on The RNL—Revolution, Nothing Less! Show, where BA talks about the transformations he went through to go from patriotic young American to someone who recognizes this is an “an empire built on slavery and world-wide plunder.”

The two emcees called for everyone there to be a part of Revolution Summer, and come to Milwaukee to march with the Revcoms during the Republi-fascist National Convention. The program ended with a call for people to contribute to the $50,000 fundraiser for Revolution Summer. Then the celebration continued with food, music, dancing and discussion. 

This party boosted people's fighting spirit. The center’s opening plays an important role in raising the sights of people in the neighborhood, and beyond. Now there are set days for people to come in and meet with the Revcom Corps, get with the Revolution Center, and find ways into and to contribute to the revolution that is greatly needed.