| The United States Social Forum (USSF) is a gathering bringing together activists, organizers, people of color, working people, poor people, and indigenous people from across the US. The goal of the gathering is to build unity around common goals of social justice, to build ties between organizations present at the event, and to help build a broader social justice movement. "This is a large scale and unique opportunity to learn from each other's experiences, shed light on social injustices, and build on community efforts to create real change," says William Copeland, a USSF staff organizer and member of the East Michigan Environmental Action Council (EMEAC).
An estimated 15,000 people attended USSF in 2007 for workshops, panels, plenaries, marches, parties and relationship building. This year the USSF is being hosted in Detroit from June 22-26th, 2010. Detroit was choosen as the host city because of it's rich social justice history and because it could definitely benefit from the energy of thousands of people coming to town. Also, the spotlight has been shining on Detroit, as its decay has become symbolic with the worst fears for the future of the US and can be a symbol of amazing changes. (Watch this awesome Youtube about an amazing urban garden project in Detroit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH6sI7BqXLo&feature=player_embedded). Check out http://www.ussf2010.org/ for more info about USSF. |
