Over 70 community members packed into the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center Wednesday upon the arrival of Claudia de la Cruz, the Party of Socialism and Liberation’s 2024 presidential nominee.
Active across 92 American cities, the party aims to fight for “the immediate needs of poor and working people and for the socialist transformation” as capitalism “cannot and will not solve the crises that threaten to destroy humanity,” according to their campaign statement.
Born in New York City to immigrants from the Dominican Republic, de la Cruz said she understood the struggle of the working person and will aim to combat the ruling class if elected president.
“There’s a lot of reasons to feel hopelessness,” de la Cruz said. “But when you meet with communities … there's so much hope in that, and I hope you find hope here in Gainesville, Florida, with people that are actually doing the work to advance revolution.”
She urged constituents to vote third party because the Democratic and Republican parties “can’t even talk about democracy or spreading anything but misery across the globe.” Focusing on the needs of the American working class took priority on her agenda.
Following 30 years of participation in the socialist movement, de la Cruz said she won’t let the two party system stop her.
“I hope everyone in this room wants to win, not just struggle,” she said. “Struggle is dignified. Struggle can be beautiful, but we must aim to win. Are you with me?”
De la Cruz’s next stop on the campaign trail is St. Pete, Florida July 18.
Contact Morgan Vanderlaan at mvanderlaan@alligator.org. Follow her on X @morgvande.
Morgan Vanderlaan is a first-year Political Science and English major and the City and County Commission Reporter for The Alligator. When she’s not on the clock, she can be found watching, writing and reciting theatre!
