The Communist Party of Florida held its annual retreat this year in New Smyrna Beach, a small beach town rich with working-class history.

The Retreat began Friday, April 21 with a reception and a viewing of the environmental documentary “Troubled Waters: Connections and Consequences.” On Saturday morning, members attended a discussion about Marxism basics and women’s rights through a historical lens.  After lunch, members stepped outside into the heat for a class on physical wellness and self-defense taught by one of our newest members who’s a professional MMA instructor. Following that, members embarked on a People’s History Tour of New Smyrna Beach beginning at an archeological site that was the scene of an indigenous and slave uprising resulting in the burning of a sugar mill and the freeing of slaves (who assimilated with the local indigenous Timucuans).  The tour continued to a riverfront park where a monument tells the story of the founding of New Smyrna Beach and the indentured servant rebellion that eventually caused the remaining settlers to relocate north to St. Augustine, FL. The tour concluded at Turtle Mound, one of the few and largest remaining shell mounds, a Timucuan settlement, in Florida.  An amazing homemade Latin dinner was served to conclude the day and members took the time to relax and share their own stories.  The Retreat concluded Sunday, April 23 with discussions on Marxist Strategy and Tactics, the fight back against Trump’s agenda and how our different clubs in Florida are engaging in that fight.

Our Florida members left the retreat recharged and ready to fight in the coming period and look forward to our next annual retreat.

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