Socialism: What Is It?

Left Coast Forum and LA Progressive presents a public event:

Socialism: What Is It? How Can It Solve America’s Domestic and Foreign Problems?

As self-described socialists Zohran Mamdani and Katie Wilson become the mayors of New York City and Seattle, people need to understand socialism.

Rather than slogans or soundbites, this forum will focus on substance: Explaining what socialism is, how different socialist currents diverge, what policies they advocate, and how socialism addresses wages, housing, healthcare, labor power, democratic participation and foreign relations.

“This moment demands clarity,” said the event’s organizers. “As socialism enters city halls and public debate, people deserve to hear directly from those advancing these ideas—without caricature, fear-mongering, or corporate filters.”

SPEAKERS:

• Richard Wolff (via video)—Economic Update
• Kshama Sawant—Revolutionary Workers, Workers Strike Back
• TBD—Democratic Socialists of America
• Rossana Cambron—Communist Party USA
• Val Carlson—Freedom Socialist Party
• Jeff Mackler—Socialist Action
• Lyndon Porter, Rocio Lopez—International Marxist-Humanist Organization
• John Burton—Socialist Equality Party
• Preston Wood—Party for Socialism and Liberation
• Mwezi Odom—African People’s Socialist Party.

EVENT DETAILS

📅 Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026

⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Pacific Time

📍 Location: Near Downtown Los Angeles (address provided upon RSVP)

💲 Cost: Free and open to the public; suggested donation $20.00

RSVP required. Location details will be sent upon confirmation.

For press questions, contact Ed Rampell at 70HollyBL@gmail.com

Speakers subject to change.

ABOUT LEFT COAST FORUM

Left Coast Forum is a movement-aligned political education and convening platform committed to serious dialogue, democratic engagement, and structural solutions to inequality. Its programs bring together organizers, scholars, activists, and the public to grapple with power—who holds it, how it operates, and how it can be transformed