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Claudia de la Cruz | |
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| Born | c. 1980 New York City, New York, United States |
| Political orientation | Marxism–Leninism Liberation theology |
| Political party | PSL |
Claudia De la Cruz (born c. 1980) is a Statesian communist and PSL member running for president in the 2024 presidential election with Karina Garcia as her running mate.[1] She co-founded The People's Forum in New York City.[2]
Early life[edit | edit source]
De la Cruz was born in the South Bronx to parents from the Dominican Republic. At an early age, she was questioning the conditions of poverty, violence, and oppression in her neighborhood, and what she saw and experienced served as her first entry point to understanding working class consciousness.[2]
Education[edit | edit source]
De la Cruz studied at the City University of New York and completed seminary in 2007. Through her time completing her studies at the City University of New York (CUNY), she coordinated Palenque, a project that brought together teenagers from across the city to study histories of struggles and resistance through popular education, arts, and culture. In 2003, she participated in mobilizing youth from this program, along with church and community members to participate in rallies against the war in Iraq, including the mass marches in Washington, D.C.[2]
Political activism[edit | edit source]
When she was 13, De la Cruz began organizing at her local church to promote liberation theology. She participated in campaigns to free political prisoners and against the Navy occupation of Puerto Rico, blockade of Cuba, Zionism, and police brutality. In high school, she became a peer educator, conducting workshops on reproductive health and safe sex at community hubs and progressive churches, particularly for youth in the Bronx. At the age of 17, she traveled to Cuba during the Special Period. In 2003, she protested against the U.S. invasion of Iraq. In 2004, she co-founded Da Urban Butterflies, a youth leadership organization for young women from the Bronx.[2]
Career[edit | edit source]
Claudia completed seminary in 2007, and became the pastor of her home-church, Iglesia San Romero de Las Américas–UCC. She served the church in her position as pastor for eight years.[2]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Claudia lives with her eight year old son. She considers herself blessed to learn from and grow with him, and to have a community of family, friends, and fellow fighters for justice to help nourish him.[2]
2024 presidential election[edit | edit source]
Claudia De la Cruz officially announced her campaign for president alongside running mate Karina Garcia on September 7, 2023.[3] The program PSL is running on highlights these main points:[4]
- Seize the 100 biggest corporations
- Create a new economy for the people
- Overthrow the dictatorship of the rich
- Build a democracy that serves the working class
- End the rule of money and lock up the corrupt elite
- Cut the military budget by 90%
- Peace, not war with China & Russia
- End the war on black America
- Defend women's rights
- Full equality for LGBTQ people
- Save the planet from capitalism
External links[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "End Capitalism Before It Ends Us: Claudia De La Cruz & Karina Garcia for President & VP" (2023-09-11). Liberation News. Archived from the original on 2023-09-18.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Party of Socialism and Liberation. "About the Candidates" Vote Socialist 2024. Archived from the original on 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ↑ Kaitlyn Kennedy (2023-12-03). "Claudia De la Cruz 2024: Her story, experiences, and policies" TAG24 News. Archived from the original on 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ↑ Party of Socialism and Liberation. "Our Program" Vote Socialist 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-01-29.