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Portside aims to provide material of interest to people on the left that will help them to interpret the world and to change it.

The Need To Protect Direct Democracy

Marcus Gadson Governing
Citizens in half the states have the power to place initiatives or referendums on the ballot. That process is under threat, but in an era of partisan gerrymandering and unresponsive legislatures we must keep it viable.

This Week in People’s History, Mar 12–18, 2025

Portside
Other-abled protesters crawling up the steps of the Capitol A Protest that Congress Can’t Ignore (1990), ¡Breonna Taylor, Presente! (2020), A McCarthy Victim’s Belated Vindication (1950), Happy Sunshine Week!, Herbie Hancock’s Early Hit (1965), When a Postal Strike Was a National Emergency (1970)

Brownsville, Texas: The Last Stand Against Corporate Rule

Alfonso Saldana Move to Amend
Brownsville is more than a town on the border—it’s a symbol of what happens when corporate power goes unchecked. Musk’s attempt to privatize a community is not just a local issue; it’s a warning sign for all of us.

Europe’s Powerful Tool Against Russia

Andrew Kosenko, Joseph E. Stiglitz Project Syndicate
If European leaders want to follow through on their statements in support of Ukraine following America’s betrayal of the country, they must seize the moment by seizing Russia’s assets.

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Chicago Jazz

Giovanni Russonello The New York Times
Explore the Windy City through tracks by Ramsey Lewis, Ahmad Jamal, Lester Bowie and the contemporary artists at the forefront of today’s sound.
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